Identification and characterization of novel abdominal and pelvic brown adipose depots in mice.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) generates heat through non-shivering thermogenesis, and increasing BAT amounts or activity could facilitate obesity treatment and provide metabolic benefits. In mice, BAT has been reported in perirenal, thoracic and cranial sites. Here, we describe new pelvic and lower abdominal BAT depots located around the urethra, internal reproductive and urinary tract organs and major lower pelvic blood vessels, as well as between adjacent muscles where the upper hind leg meets the abdominal cavity. Immunohistochemical, western blot and PCR analyses revealed that these tissues expressed BAT markers such as uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and CIDEA, but not white adipose markers, and ß3-adrenergic stimulation increased UCP1 amounts, a classic characteristic of BAT tissue. The newly identified BAT stores contained extensive sympathetic innervation with high mitochondrial density and multilocular lipid droplets similar to interscapular BAT. BAT repositories were present and functional neonatally, and showed developmental changes between the neonatal and adult periods. In summary, several new depots showing classical BAT characteristics are reported and characterized in the lower abdominal/pelvic region of mice. These BAT stores are likely significant metabolic regulators in the mouse and some data suggests that similar BAT depots may also exist in humans.

Regulation of AKT Signaling in Mouse Uterus.

17ß-estradiol (E2) treatment of ovariectomized adult mice stimulates the uterine PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and epithelial proliferation through estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). However, epithelial proliferation occurs independently of E2/ESR1 signaling in neonatal uteri. Similarly, estrogen-independent uterine epithelial proliferation is seen in adulthood in mice lacking Ezh2, critical for histone methylation, and in wild-type (WT) mice treated neonatally with estrogen. The role of AKT in estrogen-independent uterine epithelial proliferation was the focus of this study. Expression of the catalytically active phosphorylated form of AKT (p-AKT) and epithelial proliferation were high in estrogen receptor 1 knockout and WT mice at postnatal day 6, when E2 concentrations were low, indicating that neither ESR1 nor E2 are essential for p-AKT expression and epithelial proliferation in these mice. However, p-AKT levels and proliferation remained estrogen responsive in preweaning WT mice. Expression of p-AKT and proliferation were both high in uterine luminal epithelium of mice estrogenized neonatally and ovariectomized during adulthood. Increased expression of phosphorylated (inactive) EZH2 was also observed. Consistent with this, Ezh2 conditional knockout mice show ovary-independent uterine epithelial proliferation and high epithelial p-AKT. Thus, adult p-AKT expression is constitutive and E2/ESR1 independent in both model systems. Finally, E2-induced p-AKT expression and normal uterine proliferation did not occur in mice lacking membrane (m)ESR1, indicating a key role for membrane ESR1 in AKT activation. These findings emphasize the importance of AKT activation in promoting uterine epithelial proliferation even when that proliferation is not E2/ESR1 dependent and further indicate that p-AKT can be uncoupled from E2/ESR1 signaling in several experimental scenarios.

Spatial transcriptomics analysis of uterine gene expression in enhancer of zeste homolog 2 conditional knockout mice†.

Histone proteins undergo various modifications that alter chromatin structure, including addition of methyl groups. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase that methylates lysine residue 27, and thereby suppresses gene expression. EZH2 plays integral roles in the uterus and other reproductive organs. We have previously shown that conditional deletion of uterine EZH2 results in increased proliferation of luminal and glandular epithelial cells, and RNA-seq analyses reveal several uterine transcriptomic changes in Ezh2 conditional (c) knockout (KO) mice that can affect estrogen signaling pathways. To pinpoint the origin of such gene expression changes, we used the recently developed spatial transcriptomics (ST) method with the hypotheses that Ezh2cKO mice would predominantly demonstrate changes in epithelial cells and/or ablation of this gene would disrupt normal epithelial/stromal gene expression patterns. Uteri were collected from ovariectomized adult WT and Ezh2cKO mice and analyzed by ST. Asb4, Cxcl14, Dio2, and Igfbp5 were increased, Sult1d1, Mt3, and Lcn2 were reduced in Ezh2cKO uterine epithelium vs. WT epithelium. For Ezh2cKO uterine stroma, differentially expressed key hub genes included Cald1, Fbln1, Myh11, Acta2, and Tagln. Conditional loss of uterine Ezh2 also appears to shift the balance of gene expression profiles in epithelial vs. stromal tissue toward uterine epithelial cell and gland development and proliferation, consistent with uterine gland hyperplasia in these mice. Current findings provide further insight into how EZH2 may selectively affect uterine epithelial and stromal compartments. Additionally, these transcriptome data might provide mechanistic understanding and valuable biomarkers for human endometrial disorders with epigenetic underpinnings.

Role of nuclear and membrane estrogen signaling pathways in the male and female reproductive tract.

Estrogen signaling through the main estrogen receptor, estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1; also known as ERα), is essential for normal female and male reproductive function. Historically, studies of estrogen action have focused on the classical genomic pathway. Although this is clearly the major pathway for steroid hormone actions, these hormones also signal through rapid non-classical effects involving cell membrane actions. Reports of rapid effects of estrogens extend for more than half a century, but recent results have expanded understanding of the identity, structure, function and overall importance of membrane receptors in estrogen responses. Key findings in this field were the immunohistochemical detection of ESR1 in cell membranes and demonstration that a portion of newly synthesized ESR1 is routed to the membrane by palmitoylation. These receptors in the membrane can then signal through protein kinases and other mechanisms following ligand binding to alter cell function. Another crucial advance in the field was development of transgenic mice expressing normal amounts of functional nuclear ESR1 (nESR1) but lacking membrane ESR1 (mESR1). Both male and female transgenic mice lacking mESR1 were infertile as adults, and both sexes had extensive reproductive abnormalities. Transgenic mice lacking mESR1 were highly protected from deleterious effects of neonatal estrogen administration, and estrogen effects on the histone methyltransferase Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 that are mediated through mESR1 could have significant effects on epigenetic imprinting. In summary, signaling through mESR1 is essential for normal male and female reproductive function and fertility, and is a critical enabler of normal estrogen responses in vivo. Although the precise role of mESR1 in estrogen responses remains to be established, future research in this area should clarify its mechanism of action and lead to a better understanding of how mESR1 signaling works with classical genomic signaling through nESR1 to promote full estrogenic responses.

The Roles of the Histone Protein Modifier EZH2 in the Uterus and Placenta.

Epigenetic modifications regulate normal physiological, as well as pathological processes in various organs, including the uterus and placenta. Both organs undergo dramatic and rapid restructuring that depends upon precise orchestration of events. Epigenetic changes that alter transcription and translation of gene-sets regulate such responses. Histone modifications alter the chromatin structure, thereby affecting transcription factor access to gene promoter regions. Binding of histones to DNA is regulated by addition or removal of subunit methyl and other groups, which can inhibit or stimulate transcription. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that catalyzes tri-methylation of histone H3 at Lys 27 (H3K27me3) and subsequently suppresses transcription of genes bound by such histones. Uterine EZH2 expression exerts a critical role in development and function of this organ with deletion of this gene resulting in uterine hyperplasia and expression of cancer-associated transcripts. Elucidating the roles of EZH2 in uterus and placenta is essential as EZH2 dysregulation is associated with several uterine and placental pathologies. Herein, we discuss EZH2 functions in uterus and placenta, emphasizing its physiological and pathological importance.

Mice lacking uterine enhancer of zeste homolog 2 have transcriptomic changes associated with uterine epithelial proliferation.

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase that suppresses gene expression. Previously, we developed a conditional null model where EZH2 is knocked out in uterus. Deletion of uterine EZH2 increased proliferation of luminal and glandular epithelial cells. Herein, we used RNA-Seq in wild-type (WT) and EZH2 conditional knockout (Ezh2cKO) uteri to obtain mechanistic insights into the gene expression changes that underpin the pathogenesis observed in these mice. Ovariectomized adult Ezh2cKO mice were treated with vehicle (V) or 17ß-estradiol (E2; 1 ng/g). Uteri were collected at postnatal day (PND) 75 for RNA-Seq or immunostaining for epithelial proliferation. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was used to link uterine gene expression patterns and epithelial proliferation. In V-treated mice, 88 transcripts were differentially expressed (DEG) in Ezh2cKO mice, and Bmp5, Crabp2, Lgr5, and Sprr2f were upregulated. E2 treatment resulted in 40 DEG with Krt5, Krt15, Olig3, Crabp1, and Serpinb7 upregulated in Ezh2cKO compared with control mice. Transcript analysis relative to proliferation rates revealed two module eigengenes correlated with epithelial proliferation in WT V vs. Ezh2cKO V and WT E2 vs. Ezh2cKO E2 mice, with a positive relationship in the former and inverse in the latter. Notably, the ESR1, Wnt, and Hippo signaling pathways were among those functionally enriched in Ezh2cKO females. Current results reveal unique gene expression patterns in Ezh2cKO uterus and provide insight into how loss of this critical epigenetic regulator assumingly contributes to uterine abnormalities.

The histone methyltransferase EZH2 is required for normal uterine development and function in mice†.

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a rate-limiting catalytic subunit of a histone methyltransferase, polycomb repressive complex, which silences gene activity through the repressive histone mark H3K27me3. EZH2 is critical for epigenetic effects of early estrogen treatment, and may be involved in uterine development and pathologies. We investigated EZH2 expression, regulation, and its role in uterine development/function. Uterine epithelial EZH2 expression was associated with proliferation and was high neonatally then declined by weaning. Pre-weaning uterine EZH2 expression was comparable in wild-type and estrogen receptor 1 knockout mice, showing neonatal EZH2 expression is ESR1 independent. Epithelial EZH2 was upregulated by 17ß-estradiol (E2) and inhibited by progesterone in adult uteri from ovariectomized mice. To investigate the uterine role of EZH2, we developed a EZH2 conditional knockout (Ezh2cKO) mouse using a cre recombinase driven by the progesterone receptor (Pgr) promoter that produced Ezh2cKO mice lacking EZH2 in Pgr-expressing tissues (e.g. uterus, mammary glands). In Ezh2cKO uteri, EZH2 was deleted neonatally. These uteri had reduced H3K27me3, were larger than WT, and showed adult cystic endometrial hyperplasia. Ovary-independent uterine epithelial proliferation and increased numbers of highly proliferative uterine glands were seen in adult Ezh2cKO mice. Female Ezh2cKO mice were initially subfertile, and then became infertile by 9 months. Mammary gland development in Ezh2cKO mice was inhibited. In summary, uterine EZH2 expression is developmentally and hormonally regulated, and its loss causes aberrant uterine epithelial proliferation, uterine hypertrophy, and cystic endometrial hyperplasia, indicating a critical role in uterine development and function.

Mice lacking membrane estrogen receptor 1 are protected from reproductive pathologies resulting from developmental estrogen exposure†.

Both membrane and nuclear fractions of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) mediate 17ß-estradiol (E2) actions. Mice expressing nuclear (n)ESR1 but lacking membrane (m)ESR1 (nuclear-only estrogen receptor 1 [NOER] mice) show reduced E2 responsivity and reproductive abnormalities culminating in adult male and female infertility. Using this model, we investigated whether reproductive pathologies caused by the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) are mitigated by mESR1 ablation. Homozygous and heterozygous wild-type (WT and HET, respectively) and NOER male and female mice were subcutaneously injected with DES (1 mg/kg body weight [BW]) or vehicle daily from postnatal day (PND) 1-5. Uterine histology was assessed in select DES-treated females at PND 5, whereas others were ovariectomized at PND 60 and treated with E2 (10 µg/kg BW) or vehicle 2 weeks later. Neonatal DES exposure resulted in ovary-independent epithelial proliferation in the vagina and uterus of WT but not NOER females. Neonatal DES treatment also induced ovary-independent adult expression of classical E2-induced transcripts (e.g., lactoferrin [Ltf] and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 [Ezh2]) in WT but not NOER mice. At PND 90, DES-treated WT and HET males showed smaller testes and a high incidence of bacterial pyogranulomatous inflammation encompassing the testes, epididymis and occasionally the ductus deferens with spread to lumbar lymph nodes; such changes were largely absent in NOER males. Results indicate that male and female NOER mice are protected from deleterious effects of neonatal DES, and thus mESR1 signaling is required for adult manifestation of DES-induced reproductive pathologies in both sexes.

Inhibición de la formación de ß-hematina de especies colombianas de Piper spp. y Calophyllum spp. como potenciales agentes antimaláricos / Inhibition of ß-hematin formation of Colombian species of Piper spp. and Calophyllum spp. as potential antimalarial agents

Resumen Nuevos agentes antimaláricos a partir de plantas son estudiados como alternativas en el tratamiento de la malaria. Los principales antimaláricos como la cloroquina tienen varios mecanismos de acción contra parásitos, uno de ellos es la inhibición de polimerización del grupo hemo, modelo que ha permitido el diseño de nuevos candidatos antimaláricos. En este sentido, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar extractos de plantas de género Piper y Calophyllum sobre la capacidad de inhibición de la β-hematina. Se informa las concentraciones inhibitorias de la formación de β-hematina por parte de 40 extractos de diferente polaridad obtenidos a partir de las especies P. piedecuestanum, C. brasiliense, C. longinforium, y Calophyllum. sp. 19 extractos mostraron un mayor potencial para inhibir la formación de β−hematina con CI50 < 3mg / ml. Estas actividades respaldan principalmente, futuros estudios con el género Calophyllum, en el desarrollo y descubrimiento de nuevas sustancias antiplasmodiales con modos de acción conocido.(AU)

Abstract New antimalarial agents from plants are studied as alternatives in the treatment of malaria. The main antimalarials such as chloroquine have several mechanisms of action against parasites, one of which is the inhibition of polymerization of the heme group, a model that has allowed the design of new antimalarial candidates. In this sense the objective of this work was to evaluate extracts of genus Piper and Calophyllum plants on the inhibition capacity of β-hematin. Inhibitory concentrations of β-hematin are reported from 40 extracts of different polarity obtained from the species P. piedecuestanum, C. brasiliense, C. longinforium, and Calophyllum. sp. 19 extracts showed a greater potential to inhibit β-hematin with IC50 < 3 mg/ml. These activities mainly support future studies with the genus Calophyllum in the development and discovery of new antiplasmodial substances with known modes of action.(AU)

Membrane estrogen receptor 1 is required for normal reproduction in male and female mice.

Steroid hormones, acting through their cognate nuclear receptors, are critical for many reproductive and non-reproductive functions. Over the past two decades, it has become increasingly clear that in addition to cytoplasmic/nuclear steroid receptors that alter gene transcription when liganded, a small fraction of cellular steroid receptors are localized to the cell membranes, where they mediate rapid steroid hormone effects. 17ß-Estradiol (E2), a key steroid hormone for both male and female reproduction, acts predominately through its main receptor, estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). Most ESR1 is nuclear; however, 5-10% of ESR1 is localized to the cell membrane after being palmitoylated at cysteine 451 in mice. This review discusses reproductive phenotypes of a newly-developed mouse model with a C451A point mutation that precludes membrane targeting of ESR1. This transgenic mouse, termed the nuclear-only ESR1 (NOER) mouse, shows extensive male and female reproductive abnormalities and infertility despite normally functional nuclear ESR1 (nESR1). These results provide the first in vivo evidence that membrane-initiated E2/ESR1 signaling is required for normal male and female reproductive functions and fertility. Signaling mechanisms for membrane ESR1 (mESR1), as well as how mESR1 works with nESR1 to mediate estrogen effects, are still being established. We discuss some possible mechanisms by which mESR1 might facilitate nESR1 signaling, as well as the emerging evidence that mESR1 might be a major mediator of epigenetic effects of estrogens, which are potentially linked to various adult-onset pathologies.

Efecto del colesterol y la dimetilformamida sobre parámetros posdescongelación en espermatozoides de caballos criollos colombianos / Effect of cholesterol and dimethiyl-formamide on post-thawing parameters in Colombian creole stallion sperm

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto del colesterol y la dimetilformamida (DMF) sobre la criosupervivencia del semen de caballos criollos colombianos. Materiales y métodos. Se recolectó semen de diez caballos y se congeló bajo el mismo protocolo, con variaciones del crioprotector (glicerol 5% o DMF 5%) y la adición o ausencia de colesterol como modificador de membrana (1.5 mg ciclodextrinas con colesterol por cada 120 x 106 células). La criosupervivencia se evaluó estimando movilidad mediante el software SCA. La vitalidad e integridad de membrana posdescongelación se estimó usando eosina-nigrosina y test hipo-osmótico respectivamente. Resultados. Incubar el semen con el colesterol, tuvo un aumento significativo del porcentaje de movilidad total y progresiva, en la velocidad de los espermatozoides y el porcentaje de espermatozoides rápidos y una disminución del porcentaje de espermatozoides con movilidad lenta. Adicionalmente se incrementó el porcentaje de espermatozoides vivos y con integridad de membrana (p<0.05). La DMF como agente crioprotector, mejoró todos los parametros evaluados al ser comparada el glicerol (p<0.05). Conclusiones. Ambos procedimientos mejoraron los parámetros evaluados debido a efectos aditivos del crioprotector y del modificador de membrana, pero no hubo interacción entre estos dos factores.

Analysis of scientific social networks participating in the: "XI National and IV International meeting of animal and veterinary sciences – ENICIP”¤ / Análisis de redes sociales de productividad científica de los participantes en el “XI Encuentro Nacional y IV Internacional de investigadores de las Ciencias Pecuarias – ENICIP ” / "Análises de redes sociais de produtividade científica dos participantes no “XI Encontro Nacional e IV Internacional de persquisadores das Ciências Pecuarias – ENICIP ”

The XI National and IV International meeting of animal and veterinary sciences (ENICIP) has been gathering researchers to socialize their advances to the scientific community since 1989. It is perceived in this meeting the presence of wide relations among researchers and institutions in the different areas of animal and veterinary science. Objective: to identify the social networking of scientific productivity in the areas of the animal and veterinary sciences. Methods: data from the authors that submitted research papers to ENICIP 2011 was collected. A matrix array for papers by author, papers by topic and authors by topic was used. The arrays were analyzed with UCINET® software. Results: 1270 researchers submitted 560 abstracts in 20 different areas. The areas with highest participation of researchers were animal nutrition and feeding (252), epidemiology and public health (153) and pastures and silvopastoral systems (131). The areas with the highest number of submitted abstracts were animal nutrition and feeding (103), animal breeding and genetics (53) and pastures and silvopastoral systems (48). Solid clusters between researchers, and new researchers with high productivity, but low social relations were found. Conclusion: the scientific communities in agricultural sciences shows high interrelationship among its different areas; nevertheless higher interrelationship among researchers from different institutions would be advantageous.

El Encuentro Nacional e Internacional de Investigadores de las Ciencias Pecuarias (ENICIP) reúne desde 1989 a investigadores que socializan sus resultados ante la comunidad científica. En este encuentro se percibe que existe una amplia relación entre investigadores e instituciones en las distintas áreas del conocimiento pecuario. Objetivo: Identificar redes sociales colombianas de productividad científica en las temáticas pecuarias. Métodos: se utilizó la información de autores que presentaron trabajos de investigación en el Enicip 2011. Se utilizó un arreglo matricial por artículos por autor, artículos por temática y autores por temática. Las matrices fueron analizadas con el software UCINET® . Resultados: 1270 investigadores presentaron 560 resúmenes en 20 temáticas. La temáticas de mayor participación con investigadores fueron: nutrición (252), Epidemiología y salud pública (153) y Pastos y sistemas silvopastoriles (131); y las temáticas con mayor número de artículos fueron: Nutrición y alimentación (103), Genética y Mejoramiento (53) y Pastos y Sistemas Sivopastoriles (48). Se encontró que existen relaciones fuertemente establecidas e investigadores nuevos con alta productividad y con baja relación social. Conclusión: la comunidad científica pecuaria de Colombia presenta una alta interrelación social en sus diferentes áreas del conocimiento; sin embargo, aún falta una mayor interrelación entre los investigadores de las distintas instituciones.

O “Encuentro Nacional e Internacional de las Ciencias Pecuarias” (ENICIP) reúne desde 1989, pesquisadores que socializam seus resultados ante a comunidade científica. No encontro, percebe-se que existe uma ampla relação entre pesquisadores e instituições das distintas áreas do conhecimento pecuário. Objetivo: identificar redes sociais de produtividade científica nas temáticas do evento. Métodos: foi utilizado a informação de autores que apresentaram trabalhos de pesquisa no ENICIP 2011. Foi utilizado um arranjo matricial por artigos por autor, artigos por temática e autores por temática. As matrizes foram analisadas com o software UCINET® . Resultados: 1270 pesquisadores apresentaram 560 resumos em 20 temáticas. As temáticas de maior participação de pesquisadores foram: Nutrição (252), Epidemiologia e saúde pública (153) e pastos e sistemas de silvopastoreio (131) e as temáticas com maior número de artigos foram: Nutrição (103), Genética e Melhoramento (53) e Pastos y Sistemas de silvopastoreio (48). Encontrou-se que existem relações de pesquisadores fortemente estabelecidos e pesquisadores novos com alta produtividade, com baixo relacionamento social de produção. Conclusões: A comunidade científica pecuária da Colômbia apresenta uma alta relação social em seus áreas de conhecimento, mais falta maior relacionamento de pesquisadores de distintas instituições.