• Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.140-155
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• 2016

Sex steroids influence the maintenance and growth of muscles. Decline in androgens, estrogens and progesterone by aging leads to the loss of muscular function and mass, sarcopenia. These steroid hormones can interact with different signaling pathways through their receptors. To date, sex steroid hormone receptors and their exact roles are not completely defined in skeletal and smooth muscles. Although numerous studies focused on the effects of sex steroid hormones on different types of cells, still many unexplained molecular mechanisms in both skeletal and smooth muscle cells remain to be investigated. In this paper, many different molecular mechanisms that are activated or inhibited by sex steroids and those that influence the growth, proliferation, and differentiation of skeletal and smooth muscle cells are reviewed. Also, the similarities of cellular and molecular pathways of androgens, estrogens and progesterone in both skeletal and smooth muscle cells are highlighted. The reviewed signaling pathways and participating molecules can be targeted in the future development of novel therapeutics.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3699-3703
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• 2013

Background: This study aimed to show the localization of estrogen / progesterone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) and protein 53 (p53) by immunohistochemistry in a series of consecutive breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The study covered invasive breast cancers from 299 patients presenting at the Oncogenetic Clinic and Pathology Centers of Ahwaz Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences Hospital in Iran during the time period from 2009 to 2011. The Scarff-Bloom Richardson scoring method was used. Results: Of the 299, 27% (80/299) were <40, 33% (100/299) were 41-50, and the remaining 40% (119/299) were>50 years old. The highest incidence of breast cancer in this study population was in the group of more than 50 year age, and the most common histological type of breast cancer was the invasive ductal carcinoma, which accounted for 68% (203/299) of the cases. Out of possible total of 207, 6% (13/207), 41% (85/207), and 53% (109/207) were scored as grade I, II, III, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated a lack of association between labeling for the markers studied and tumor size and age of the patients. We confirmed an association between ER labeling and nuclear grade of breast cancer. The conflicting results obtained compared with the literature be because of differences in the immunohistochemical techniques applied in the various studies and to the scoring systems used.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.287-291
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• 2016

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Estrogen receptors 2(ESR2) is involved in estrogen related apoptosis in cell cycle spermatogenesis, but their functions have not been confirmed in pig until now. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 105 Duroc pigs with records of semen motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT), Curvilinear velocity(VCL), Straight-line velocity(VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL(LIN), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement(ALH)] were analyzed. A SNP in coding region of ESR2 g.35547A > G in exon 5 was associated with MOT (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the porcine ESR2 gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effects were not defined yet. These results might shed new light on the roles of ESR2 in spermatogenesis as candidate gene for boar fertility, but still the lack of association across populations should be considered.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2011

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a small lipid molecule that plays an important role through LPA receptors (LPARs) in reproductive processes. Our previous study has shown maximal expression of LPAR3 in the uterine endometrium on day (D) 12 of pregnancy in pigs, the period when conceptus secretes various molecules such as estrogen and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL1B) and initiates implantation. We determined that endometrial expression of LPAR3 was increased by conceptus estrogen in the previous study, but the effect of IL1B on LPAR3 expression has not been determined. Thus, in this study we examined whether LPAR3 expression was also affected by IL1B. Endometrial explant cultures from D12 of the estrous cycle showed that levels of endometrial LPAR3 expression did not changed in response to IL1B. We also investigated LPAR3 expression in the uterine endometrium on D12 and D30 of pregnancy from gilts with conceptuses derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The expression of LPAR3 mRNA was lower in endometria from gilts with conceptuses resulting from SCNT compared with those from gilts with embryos resulting from natural mating on D12 of pregnancy, but it was not different between them on D30 of pregnancy. Our results indicate that estrogen of conceptus origin is responsible for induction of LPAR3 expression during the peri-implantation period and appropriate LPA signaling is impaired in the uterine endometrium with SCNT-derived conceptuses during the implantation period in pigs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8789-8791
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• 2014

Estrogen receptor alpha ($ER{\alpha}$) is one of the major sub-types of estrogen receptors. $ER{\alpha}$ plays an important role in cellular proliferation and differentiation, chiefly in mammary tissues. In the present study we aimed to quantify of $ER{\alpha}$ mRNA and protein expression in breast tissues from the Iranian population using a real-time PCR assay. Twenty nine breast tissues including 19 adenocarcinomas and 10 normal controls were recruited from the Iranian population. mRNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed from these tissues using commercial kits. $ER{\alpha}$ mRNA and protein expression was quantified using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively. The results showed high expression of $ER{\alpha}$ mRNA (68%) and protein (53%) in the majority of breast cancer tissues compared to normal breast tissues (p= 0.035). Also, high $ER{\alpha}$ mRNA was associated with tumour size of breast carcinomas. In this study, we first reported the expression of $ER{\alpha}$ in Iranian patients with breast cancers and demonstrated prevalence of the expression to be similar to breast cancers noted in other populations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5047-5052
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• 2012

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy of women in Kashmir. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing hormone receptor positivity and its correlation with age at diagnosis, tumor size, histological grade and lymph node metastasis. Materials and Methods: 132 newly diagnosed cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, SKIMS, Srinagar, J&K, were included after excluding biopsies, in-situ lesions and recurrence cases. Results: Mean age of the patients was 48.2 years, 59.1% being ${\leq}50$ years of age. Mean duration of symptoms was 6.32 months. Most lesions (65.1%) were 2-5 cm and 16.7% were ${\geq}5.0$ cm in greatest dimension. The predominant (80.3%) morphology was IDC-NOS. The majority of the cases presented as grade II (52.1%) lesions and lymph node involvement was present in 65.2%. ER and PR were positive in 66.3% and 63.4% cases, respectively, increasing with rising age. High grade lesions and larger size tumors were more likely to be ER and PR negative. No correlation was found between ER/PR status and lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: ER and PR expression in breast cancers in the current study was found to be higher than studies done in India/Asia but lower than studies conducted in the West, even on Indian/Asian immigrants. Markedly lower receptor expression in Indian/Asian studies is likely due to preanalytic variables, thresholds for positivity, and interpretation criteria. American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists Guideline Recommendations for Immunohistochemical Testing of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Breast Cancer are strongly advocated for standardization of receptor evaluation and for clinical management of breast cancer patients to provide best therapeutic options.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 2008

Estrogen-induced proliferation in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells is primarily mediated through two distinct intracellular receptors, $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$. Although tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) and $E2/ER{\alpha}$ are known to exert opposing effects on cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells, the mechanism by which $TNF{\alpha}$ antagonizes $E2/ER{\alpha}$-mediated cell proliferation is not well understood. The present study suggests that reduced cell survival in response to $TNF{\alpha}$ treatment in MCF-7 cells may be associated with the down-regulation of $ER{\alpha}$ protein. The decrease in $ER{\alpha}$ protein level was accompanied by an inhibition of $ER{\alpha}$ gene transcription. Cell viability was decreased synergistically by the combined treatment with $ER{\alpha}$-siRNA and $TNF{\alpha}$. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with the PI3-kinase (PI3K)/ Akt inhibitor, LY294002, markedly enhanced $TNF{\alpha}$-induced down-regulation of the $ER{\alpha}$ protein, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt pathway might be involved in control of the $ER{\alpha}$ level. Moreover, down-regulation of $ER{\alpha}$ by $TNF{\alpha}$ was not inhibited in cells that were pretreated with the proteasome inhibitors, MG132 and MG152, which suggests that proteasome-dependent proteolysis does not significantly influence $TNF{\alpha}$-induced down-regulation of $ER{\alpha}$ protein. In contrast, the effect of the PI3K/Akt inhibitor on $ER{\alpha}$ was blocked in cells that were treated with LY294002 in the presence of the proteasome inhibitors. Collectively, our findings show that the $TNF{\alpha}$ may partly regulate the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells through the down-regulation of $ER{\alpha}$ expression, which is primarily mediated by a PI3K/Akt signaling.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2013

Objective: Impairment of spermatogenesis has been identified as an inevitable side effect of cancer treatment. Although estrogen treatment stimulates spermatogenic recovery from the impaired spermatogenesis by suppressing the intra-testicular testosterone (ITT) level, side effects of estrogen are still major impediments to its clinical application in humans. Soybeans are rich in genistein, which is a phytoestrogen that binds to estrogen receptors and has an estrogenic effect. We investigated the effects of genistein administration on ITT levels, testis weight, and recovery of spermatogenesis in rats treated with a chemotherapeutic agent, busulfan. Methods: Busulfan was administered intraperitoneally to rats, and then a GnRH agonist was injected subcutaneously into the back, or genistein was administered orally. Results: The weight of the testes was significantly reduced by the treatment with busulfan. The testis weight was partially restored after busulfan treatment by additional treatment with either the GnRH agonist or genistein. Busulfan also induced atrophy of a high percentage of the seminiferous tubules, but this percentage was decreased by additional treatment with either the GnRH agonist or genistein. Treatment with genistein was effective at suppressing and maintaining ITT levels comparable to that in the GnRH agonist group. Conclusion: Genistein effectively suppressed ITT levels and stimulated the recovery of spermatogenesis in rats treated with a chemotherapeutic drug. This suggests that genistein may be a substitute for estrogens, for helping humans to recover fertility after cancer therapy without the risk of side effects.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.165-166
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• 2018

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is a leading cause of disability with a large socioeconomic cost. OA is a whole-joint disease characterized by cartilage destruction, synovial inflammation, osteophyte formation, and subchondral bone sclerosis. To date, however, no effective disease-modifying therapies for OA have been developed. The estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), a family of orphan nuclear receptor transcription factors, are composed of $ERR{\alpha}$, $ERR{\beta}$, and $ERR{\gamma}$, which play diverse biological functions such as cellular energy metabolism. However, the role of ERRs in OA pathogenesis has not been studied yet. Among the ERR family members, $ERR{\gamma}$ is markedly upregulated in human and various models of mouse OA cartilage. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of $ERR{\gamma}$ in the mouse knee joint tissue caused OA pathogenesis. Additionally, cartilage-specific $ERR{\gamma}$ transgenic (Tg) mice exhibited enhanced experimental OA. Consistently, $ERR{\gamma}$ in articular chondrocytes directly caused expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3 and MMP13, which play a crucial role in cartilage destruction. In contrast, genetic ablation of Esrrg or shRNA-mediated Esrrg silencing in the joint tissues abrogated experimental OA in mice. These results collectively indicated that $ERR{\gamma}$ is a novel catabolic regulator of OA pathogenesis and can be used as a therapeutic target for OA.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Objective: Estrogen related receptor ${\beta}$ (Esrrb) is a member of the orphan nuclear receptors and may regulate the expression of pluripotencyrelated genes, such as Oct4 and Nanog. Therefore, in the present study, we have developed a method for delivering exogenous ESRRB recombinant protein into embryos by using cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) conjugation and have analyzed their effect on embryonic development. Methods: Mouse oocytes and embryos were obtained from superovulated mice. The expression of Oct4 mRNA and the cell number of inner cell mass (ICM) in the in vitro-derived and in vivo-derived blastocysts were first analyzed by real time-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and differential staining. Then 8-cell embryos were cultured in KSOM media with or without $2{\mu}g/mL$ CPP-ESRRB protein for 24 to 48 hours, followed by checking their integration into embryos during in vitro culture by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Results: Expression of Oct4 and the cell number of ICM were lower in the in vitro-derived blastocysts than in the in vivo-derived ones (p<0.05). In the blastocysts derived from the CPP-ESRRB-treated group, expression of Oct4 was greater than in the non-treated groups (p<0.05). Although no difference in embryonic development was observed between the treated and non-treated groups, the cell number of ICM was greater in the CPP-ESRRB-treated group. Conclusion: Treatment of CPP-ESRRB during cultivation could increase embryos' expression of Oct4 and the formation rate of the ICM in the blastocyst. Additionally, an exogenous delivery system of CPP-conjugated protein would be a useful tool for improving embryo culture systems.