Progesterone-induced cyclin G1 inhibits the proliferation of endometrial epithelial cell and its possible molecular mechanism.

Under normal conditions, progesterone inhi-bits the estrogen-induced proliferation of endometrial epithelium. Our previous studies have shown that cyclin G1 was progesterone-dependent in mouse endometrial epithelium at peri-implantation, and exogenous cyclin G1 suppressed the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells. The objectives of this study are to determine whether cyclin G1, as a negative regulator of the cell cycle, is involved in the antiproliferative action of progesterone on endometrial epithelial cells, and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of cyclin G1 inhibition. The siRNA-mediated elimination of cyclin G1 attenuated the antiproliferative action of progesterone on endometrial epithelial cells. Immunoprecipitation showed that progesterone-induced cyclin G1 could interact with PP2A to mediate its phosphatase activity. The block of PP2A activity also attenuated the antiproliferative action of progesterone on endometrial epithelial cells and increased the phosphorylated Rb. In conclusion, progesterone-induced cyclin G1 mediates the inhibitory effect of progesterone on endometrial epithelial cell proliferation possibly through the recruitment of PP2A to dephosphorylate Rb.

The regulation and function of the forkhead transcription factor, Forkhead box O1, is dependent on the progesterone receptor in endometrial carcinoma.

In many type I endometrial cancers, the PTEN gene is inactivated, which ultimately leads to constitutively active Akt and the inhibition of Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), a member of the FOXO subfamily of Forkhead/winged helix family of transcription factors. The expression, regulation, and function of FOXO1 in endometrial cancer were investigated in this study. Immunohistochemical analysis of 49 endometrial tumor tissues revealed a decrease of FOXO1 expression in 95.9% of the cases compared with the expression in normal endometrium. In four different endometrial cancer cell lines (ECC1, Hec1B, Ishikawa, and RL95), FOXO1 mRNA was expressed at similar levels; however, protein levels were low or undetectable in Ecc1, Ishikawa, and RL95 cells. Using small interfering RNA technology, we demonstrated that the low levels of FOXO1 protein were due to the involvement of Skp2, an oncogenic subunit of the Skp1/Cul1/F-box protein ubiquitin complex, given that silencing Skp2 increased FOXO1 protein expression in Ishikawa cells. Inhibition of Akt in Ishikawa cells also increased nuclear FOXO1 protein levels. Additionally, progestins increased FOXO1 protein levels, specifically through progesterone receptor B (PRB) as determined by using stably transfected PRA-specific and PRB-specific Ishikawa cell lines. Finally, overexpression of triple mutant (Tm) FOXO1 in the PR-specific Ishikawa cell lines caused cell cycle arrest and significantly decreased proliferation in the presence and absence of the progestin, R5020. Furthermore, TmFOXO1 overexpression induced apoptosis in PRB-specific cells in the presence and absence of ligand. Taken together, these data provide insight into the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt/FOXO pathway for the determination of progestin responsiveness and the development of alternate therapies for endometrial cancer.

Association of immune mediators at diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes with later clinical remission.

AIMS: We tested the hypothesis that systemic concentrations of cytokines, chemokines or soluble cytokine receptors predict or accompany clinical remission in Type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: In a prospective, multicentre study, 48 patients with newly diagnosed T1D and 55 age-matched healthy control subjects were investigated. Blood was drawn 3-7 days after the diagnosis and then 3-4 months later. Patients were grouped into partial remitters or non-remitters by the degree of clinical improvement defined by HbA(1c) (threshold 7.5%) and daily insulin dose (threshold 0.38 IU/kg/day). Systemic concentrations of 17 immune mediators were analysed in serum or plasma. In addition, autoantibodies against insulin (IAA), IA-2 (IA-2A) and GAD65 (GADA) were quantified. RESULTS: All 17 immune mediators showed remarkable intra-individual stability in their systemic concentrations over time. As a consequence, partial remission was not accompanied by changes in mediator levels except for a moderate decrease of interleukin (IL)-1ra concentrations (P = 0.02) and IL-10 concentrations (P = 0.01) in non-remitters. Baseline levels were associated with the later clinical course in that low levels of interferon gamma (P = 0.01), IL-10 (P = 0.03) and IL-1R1 (P = 0.009) concentrations were observed in partial remitters. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the systemic immunoregulatory state at diagnosis of T1D is predictive of clinical improvement during the remission phase. There was no general change in systemic immune reactivity in the months after diagnosis and initiation of insulin therapy.

Molecular analysis of human endometrium: short-term tibolone signaling differs significantly from estrogen and estrogen + progestagen signaling.

Tibolone, a tissue-selective compound with a combination of estrogenic, progestagenic, and androgenic properties, is used as an alternative for estrogen or estrogen plus progesterone hormone therapy for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause and osteoporosis. The current study compares the endometrial gene expression profiles after short-term (21 days) treatment with tibolone to the profiles after treatment with estradiol-only (E(2)) and E(2) + medroxyprogesterone acetate (E(2) + MPA) in healthy postmenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial prolapse. The impact of E(2) treatment on endometrial gene expression (799 genes) was much higher than the effect of tibolone (173 genes) or E(2) + MPA treatment (174 genes). Furthermore, endometrial gene expression profiles after tibolone treatment show a weak similarity to the profiles after E(2) treatment (overlap 72 genes) and even less profile similarity to E(2) + MPA treatment (overlap 17 genes). Interestingly, 95 tibolone-specific genes were identified. Translation of profile similarity into biological processes and pathways showed that ER-mediated downstream processes, such as cell cycle and cell proliferation, are not affected by E2 + MPA, slightly by tibolone, but are significantly affected by E(2). In conclusion, tibolone treatment results in a tibolone-specific gene expression profile in the human endometrium, which shares only limited resemblance to E(2) and even less resemblance to E2 + MPA induced profiles.

The hormone replacement therapy drug tibolone acts very similar to medroxyprogesterone acetate in an estrogen-and progesterone-responsive endometrial cancer cell line.

Tibolone, a steroidogenic compound with both estrogenic and progestagenic properties, is used as an alternative for estrogen or estrogen plus progesterone hormone therapy for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause and osteoporosis. We have evaluated whether the effect of tibolone on a human endometrial cell line is similar to, or comparable with, the effect of estradiol (E(2)), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or E(2) + MPA treatment. Using stable transfection techniques, the estrogen receptor (ER) expressing human endometrial cancer cell line, ECC1, was altered to also express both progesterone receptors (PRs). These cells were then used to assess growth regulation and expression profiling (Affymetrix U133plus2) under the influence of E(2) (1 nM), MPA (1 nM), E(2) + MPA or tibolone (100 nM). Growth assessment and comparison of profiles indicate that tibolone behaves predominantly like MPA. Furthermore, regulation of prereplication complex genes, such as the minichromosome maintenance genes, could be involved in the observed strong inhibition of growth by tibolone as well as MPA. In addition, in total, 15 genes were found to be specific for tibolone treatment. These genes were predominantly involved in regulation of the cell cycle and differentiation.

Association of interferon-gamma and interleukin 10 genotypes and serum levels with partial clinical remission in type 1 diabetes.

We studied whether serum interferon (IFN)-gamma or interleukin (IL)-10 levels and their corresponding functional polymorphic genotypes are associated with partial remission of type 1 diabetes (T1D). A multi-centre study was undertaken in patients with newly diagnosed T1D and matched controls. T1D patients were followed for 3 months and characterized for remission status. Partial clinical remission was defined as a daily insulin dose

Genetic variants of RANTES are associated with serum RANTES level and protection for type 1 diabetes.

RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) is a T-helper type 1 (Th1) chemokine that promotes T-cell activation and proliferation. RANTES is genetically associated with asthma, sarcoidosis and multiple sclerosis. The concentration of RANTES is increased at inflammation sites in different autoimmune diseases. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a Th1-mediated disease with complex genetic predisposition. We tested RANTES as a candidate gene for association with T1D using three single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants (rs4251719, rs2306630 and rs2107538) to capture haplotype information. The minor alleles of all SNPs were transmitted less frequently to T1D offspring (transmission rates 37.3% (P=0.002), 38.7% (P=0.007) and 41.0% (P=0.01)) and were less frequently present in patients compared to controls (P=0.009, 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). A similar protective effect was observed for the haplotype carrying three minor alleles (transmission disequilibrium test (TDT): P=0.003; odds ratio (OR)=0.55; confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.83; case/control: P=0.03; OR=0.74; CI: 0.55-0.98). Both patients and controls carrying the protective haplotype express significantly lower serum levels of RANTES compared to non-carriers. Subsequently, we tested a cohort of 310 celiac disease patients, but failed to detect association. RANTES SNPs are significantly associated with RANTES serum concentration and development of T1D. The rs4251719*A-rs2306630*A-rs2107538*A haplotype associated with low RANTES production confers protection from T1D. Our data imply that RANTES is associated with T1D both genetically and functionally, and contributes to diabetes-prone Th1 cytokine profile.

Growth regulation and transcriptional activities of estrogen and progesterone in human endometrial cancer cells.

Estrogen-stimulated growth of the malignant human endometrium can be balanced by the differentiating properties of progesterone. To study the molecular basis behind this, gene expression profiling was performed using complementary DNA microarray analysis. In this study, the human endometrial cancer cell lines ECC-1 and PRAB-36 were used as models. The ECC-1 cell line, which expresses high levels of estrogen receptor alpha and is stimulated in growth by estrogens, was used to study estrogen regulation of gene expression. The Ishikawa sub-cell line PRAB-36, expressing both PRA and PRB, progesterone receptor isoforms, and inhibited in growth by progestagens, was used to study progesterone regulation of gene expression. Using these two well-differentiated human endometrial cancer cell lines, 148 estrogen- and 148 progesterone-regulated genes were identified. After functional classification, the estrogen- and progesterone-regulated genes could be categorized in different biologically relevant groups. Within the group of "cell growth and/or maintenance," 81 genes were clustered, from which a number of genes could be involved in arranging the cross talk that exists between estrogen and progesterone signaling. On the basis of analysis of the current findings, it is hypothesized that cross talk between estrogen and progestagen signaling does not occur by counterregulation of single genes, but rather at the level of differential regulation of different genes within the same functional families.

Altered chemokine levels in individuals at risk of Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: The hypothesis was tested in an exploratory study that individuals at high risk of developing Type 1 diabetes mellitus have altered systemic levels of cytokines and chemokines. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-two non-diabetic first-degree relatives of patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus were recruited. Of these, 18 had multiple islet autoantibodies (islet cell antibody, glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody, IA-2 antibody). Follow-up for 9-11 years confirmed high vs. moderate diabetes risk in islet autoantibody-positive vs. -negative relatives. Cytokines and chemokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Serum concentrations of classic Th1-associated cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-18) or Th2/Treg-associated cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, IL-13) did not significantly differ in high vs. moderate diabetes risk group. However, of six chemokines analysed, levels of CCL3 and CCL4 were increased (P = 0.0442 and P = 0.0334) while CCL2 was decreased (P = 0.0318) in the multiple islet autoantibody-positive group. No significant differences were seen for CCL5, CCL11, CXCL10. There was a significant correlation between the two closely related chemokines CCL3 and CCL4 in individuals at risk (r = 0.84, P = 0.00005), but not in the autoantibody-negative group. CONCLUSION: Relatives at high risk of developing Type 1 diabetes mellitus have abnormal cellular immune regulation at the level of systemic chemokines. The up-regulation of CCL3 and CCL4 vs. down-regulation of CCL2 suggests opposed functions of these chemokines in the disease process. These findings need to be confirmed by independent studies.

Association of humoral immunity to human Hsp60 with the IL-6 gene polymorphism C-174G in patients with type 2 diabetes and controls.

The relationship between humoral immunity to hsp60 and type 2 diabetes along with other relevant metabolic, inflammatory and immunogenetic variables was studied in 76 non-diabetic and 74 diabetic persons aged 55-74 years selected from the population-based KORA Survey 2000. Antibodies to human hsp60 were measured in serum samples by ELISA. Hsp60 antibodies were detected in all but two individuals in a considerable range of titres (22-1,856 AU/ml). There was no significant association to age and sex, or to key clinical or metabolic parameters (BMI, WHR, HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, albumin, uric acid) or immunological parameters (CRP, IL-6, sIL-6R, TNFalpha, sTNFalpha R60, sTNFalpha R80). Analysis of antibody-positive individuals revealed an association between hsp60 antibodies and diabetes at borderline significance (p = 0.047), which was lost when the two antibody-negative individuals were included. Genetic analyses indicated that this association was significant in carriers of the C allele of the IL-6 promoter region polymorphism at nucleotide -174 (p = 0.02), but not in GG genotype carriers. We conclude that humoral immunity to human hsp60 may be enhanced in those diabetic patients carrying the -174C allele of the IL-6 gene. This finding may contribute to an understanding of the relationship between the -174C allele and increased risk of atherosclerosis.

Molecular portrait of the progestagenic and estrogenic actions of tibolone: behavior of cellular networks in response to tibolone.

Tibolone is a synthetic steroid with estrogenic effects on brain, vagina, and bone without stimulating the endometrium. During tibolone treatment, it is thought that the progestagenic properties of tibolone stimulate cell differentiation, which effectively counterbalances the growth-stimulating effects of the estrogenic properties of tibolone. The objective of this study was to characterize the expression profile that reflects the endometrial responses to the separated estrogenic (growth-inducing) and progestagenic (growth-inhibiting) actions of tibolone, thus gaining insight into the counteracting effect of these properties of tibolone on the endometrium. The estrogenic action of tibolone was studied in the estrogen-responsive ECC1 cell line (expressing estrogen receptor alpha), and the progestagenic action was studied in the progesterone-responsive cell line Ishikawa PRAB-36 (expressing PRA and PRB). The data showed that the progestagenic and estrogenic effects of tibolone produce different expression profiles with a narrow overlap in genes; however, both properties modulate the same biological processes. The final genetic network analysis indicated that the estrogenic effect of tibolone is potentially counterbalanced by the progestagenic metabolite of tibolone via differential regulation of similar cellular processes. For example, both progestagenic and estrogenic properties stimulate proliferation, but they exert the opposite effect on apoptosis. The apoptosis network was stimulated by the progestagenic properties of tibolone; in contrast, the estrogenic effect of tibolone suppressed the apoptosis network. The current results indicate that this differential regulation is realized through modulation of a different group of genes and rarely via contraregulation of the same set of genes.

Impaired glucose tolerance is associated with increased serum concentrations of interleukin 6 and co-regulated acute-phase proteins but not TNF-alpha or its receptors.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: A population-based sample was studied to define immune abnormalities in individuals at risk of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus because of impaired glucose tolerance. METHODS: A total of 1653 individuals aged 55 to 74 years participated in a population based survey in Southern Germany (KORA Survey 2000). Those without a history of diabetes were subjected to an OGTT. Randomly selected subjects with IGT ( n=80) were compared with non-diabetic control subjects ( n=77) and patients with Type II diabetes ( n=152) of the same population-based sample after matching for age and sex. Immune parameters were analysed in serum with rigidly evaluated ELISA. RESULTS: Serum pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations were higher in subjects with IGT and Type II diabetes than in the control subjects (median 1.8 and 2.5 vs 0.8 pg/ml, p<0.0001). Soluble IL-6 receptors potentiate IL-6 bioactivity and their concentrations were mildly increased in Type II diabetes ( p<0.05). These immune changes seem relevant because IL-6 dependent acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A protein and fibrinogen were also increased in IGT and Type II diabetes. Circulating concentrations of TNF-alpha and its two receptors sTNF-R60 and sTNF-R80 were not increased in IGT subjects compared with the control subjects. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Our study shows systemic up-regulation of selected inflammatory mediators in patients with Type II diabetes and IGT. The pattern observed is non-random and fits with an IL-6 associated rather than TNF-alpha associated response.

Serum IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels are associated with disease progression in non-obese diabetic mice.

BACKGROUND: The goal of the present study was to determine whether cytokines in the peripheral blood of naive NOD mice correlate with the disease process and thereby would provide a marker for monitoring disease activity. METHODS: Female NOD mice (5, 10 and 14-16 weeks of age) were investigated in a cross-sectional study. In the group of 14-16-week-old mice, non-diabetic and diabetic mice were analysed as different subgroups. The Th1 cytokine (IFN-gamma) and the Th2 cytokine (IL-10) were quantified in serum by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pancreatic mRNA for IFN-gamma and IL-10 was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from the same animals. RESULTS: Serum levels of IFN-gamma were initially low but increased with age in NOD mice, reaching the highest levels at diabetes onset (p<0.002 compared to 10 weeks). A similar rise was noted in IFN-gamma gene expression in pancreatic lesions. In contrast, an early peak of serum IL-10 levels was observed in non-diabetic NOD mice (10 weeks) at a stage where non-destructive insulitis occurs. With increasing age a continuous loss of IL-10 until progression towards diabetes was observed. The pancreatic IL-10 mRNA expression correlated with serum IL-10 changes. As a consequence, the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-10, reflecting the Th1/Th2 balance in the serum, was significantly increased in diabetic compared to non-diabetic NOD mice (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate, for the first time, that an increased Th2 pattern in the non-diabetic stage preceding a Th1 shift is associated with the development of diabetes in naive NOD mice. Serum cytokines correlate with disease progression and pancreatic cytokine expression during prediabetes. Soluble cytokines measured in the periphery are therefore promising surrogate markers of diabetes development.

Cytokine secretion patterns in twins discordant for Type I diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The search for T-cell reactions that are associated with disease in Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is severely hampered because control groups cannot be matched for relevant immune response genes. We therefore compared T-cell responses between identical twins discordant for Type I diabetes. METHODS: Pairs of monozygotic twins (n = 17) discordant for Type I diabetes were studied. Cultures were set up from whole blood immediately after sampling and cells were challenged with human recombinant hsp60, with the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin or with the staphylococcal superantigen. Supernatants were removed after 48 or 96 h and analysed for T-helper1 type cytokines interferon-gamma, TNFalpha and T-helper2 type cytokines IL-4, IL-10 by sandwich-ELISA. RESULTS: The height of the T-helper1 type cytokine response to hsp60, phytohaemagglutinin or staphylococcal enterotoxin B did not show disease association, i. e. it was similar between discordant twins. In contrast, the production of T-helper2 type cytokines differed between discordant twins. The IL-10 response to hsp60 was higher in twins at low disease risk (islet cell antibody-negative) than in their diabetic cotwins (p < 0.01), as was the IL-4 response to phytohaemagglutinin (p < 0.05). No difference was seen in the cytokine response between islet cell antibody-positive twins and their diabetic cotwins. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The data indicate an association between T-helper2 type cytokine secretion patterns and disease or disease risk.

Propofol prevents peroxide-induced inhibition of glutamate transport in cultured astrocytes.

BACKGROUND: Glutamate transporters located in the plasma membrane of cerebral astrocytes take up excitatory neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft. In diseases characterized by oxidative stress, the extracellular glutamate concentration increases and contributes to neuronal death. The authors wanted to determine whether propofol defends brain cells against oxidant-induced changes in their transport of glutamate. METHODS: Primary cultures of rat cerebral astrocytes were exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (1 mM) to serve as an in vitro model of oxidative stress. Astrocytes were incubated with propofol for 2 h and tert-butyl hydroperoxide was added for the final hour. Alternatively, astrocytes were incubated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide for 30 min and then with propofol for another 30 min. Control cells received drug vehicle rather than propofol. The rate of uptake of glutamate, the efflux of the nonmetabolizable analog D-aspartate, and the intracellular concentration of the endogenous antioxidant glutathione were measured. RESULTS: Tert-butyl hydroperoxide decreased the glutathione concentration and inhibited glutamate uptake but had a negligible effect on D-aspartate efflux. At clinically relevant concentrations, propofol did not affect the glutathione concentration but did prevent the effect of tert-butyl hydroperoxide on glutamate transport. Furthermore, the addition of propofol after tert-butyl hydroperoxide reversed the inhibition of glutamate uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol prevents and reverses the inhibition of excitatory amino acid uptake in astrocytes exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The ability of propofol to defend against peroxide-induced inhibition of glutamate clearance may prevent the pathologic increase in extracellular glutamate at synapses, and thus delay or prevent the onset of excitotoxic neuronal death.

D6STNFa microsatellite locus correlates with CTLp frequency in unrelated bone marrow donor-recipient pairs.

The use of unrelated donors for bone marrow transplantation is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality when compared with HLA identical siblings, primarily due to an increased rate of graft-versus-host-disease. HLA matching for donors and recipients is the most important factor influencing the outcome of BMT. However, unrelated donor selection generally relies on matching only for HLA antigens without considering potential incompatibility for other MHC loci. Cellular assays have been developed to predict incompatibility that cannot be detected by current typing methods. The CTLp frequencies correlate with the degree of incompatibility of patient/donor and the clinical grade of GVHD. Since the CTLp assay is expensive and time consuming, an alternative is wanted. We studied the means of matching for microsatellites in determining MHC identity and possible correlation with CTLp frequencies. Therefore, 26 recipient/donor pairs were analysed for eleven microsatellite loci within and around the MHC region. Our study provides evidence that the D6STNFa locus correlates with CTLp frequency. The D6STNFa locus provides an additional marker that may help to improve the matching of unrelated donors and bone marrow recipients.

Genetic structure of IDDM1: two separate regions in the major histocompatibility complex contribute to susceptibility or protection. Belgian Diabetes Registry.

We analyzed 11 markers in the IDDM1 region in 120 IDDM patients and 83 healthy control subjects who were fully matched for the highest risk HLA-DQA1*0301-DQB1 *0302/DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201 genotype. Our study provides strong evidence that two regions in the major histocompatibility complex contribute to IDDM susceptibility or protection. First, despite selection for highest IDDM-associated risk DQ genotypes, this region displays extensive linkage disequilibrium (LD) differences between IDDM patients and control subjects. A second critical region was mapped around the microsatellite locus D6S273 centromeric of TNF, and it is approximately 200 kb in size. LD analysis shows that "diabetogenic haplotypes" may have resulted from a recombination telomeric of D6S1014 in the region of D6S273 and TNFa. Haplotype analysis using HLA and microsatellite loci refines IDDM risk assessment in carriers of the HLA-DQ highest risk genotype.