RESUMO
We have demonstrated that oligodeoxynucleotide IMT504 promotes significant improvement in the diabetic condition in diverse animal models. Based on these results, here we evaluated whether these effects observed in vivo could be due to direct effects on ß-cells. We demonstrate by immunofluorescence that IMT504 enters the cell and locates in cytoplasm where it induces GSK-3ß phosphorylation that inactivates this kinase. As GSK-3ß tags Pdx1 for proteasomal degradation, by inactivating GSK-3ß, IMT504 induces an increase in Pdx1 protein levels, demonstrated by Western blotting. Concomitantly, an increase in Ins2 and Pdx1 gene transcription was observed, with no significant increase in insulin content or secretion. Enhanced Pdx1 is promising since it is a key transcription factor for insulin synthesis and is also described as an essential factor for the maintenance ß-cell phenotype and function. Dose-dependent inhibition of H2 O2 -induced apoptosis determined by ELISA as well as decreased expression of Bax was also observed. These results were confirmed in another ß-cell line, beta-TC-6 cells, in which a cytokine mix induced apoptosis that was reversed by IMT504. In addition, an inhibitor of IMT504 entrance into cells abrogated the effect IMT504. Based on these results we conclude that the ß-cell recovery observed in vivo may include direct effects of IMT504 on ß-cells, by maintaining their identity/phenotype and protecting them from oxidative stress and cytokine-induced apoptosis. Thus, this work positions IMT504 as a promising option in the framework of the search of new therapies for type I diabetes treatment.
Assuntos
Apoptose , Oligodesoxirribonucleotídeos , Animais , Glicogênio Sintase Quinase 3 beta , Oligodesoxirribonucleotídeos/farmacologia , Insulina/metabolismo , Citocinas/farmacologia , Proliferação de CélulasRESUMO
In mammals, gestation is considered a physiological hyperprolactinemia status. Prolactin (PRL) is one of the modulators of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons function. The South American plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) is a unique model to study the regulation of hypothalamic GnRH neurons by direct and indirect steroid-dependent pathways. The aim was to characterize the hypothalamic expression of endocrine markers in vizcacha during gestation as well as their response to experimental induced hyperprolactinemia. The possible involvement of PRL regulatory pathways on GnRH in the context of hypothalamic and pituitary reactivation in mid-gestating vizcachas was discussed. Using two in vivo approaches, we determined changes in the hypothalamic expression and distribution of prolactin receptor (PRLR), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and dopamine type 2 receptor. A significant increment in the number of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons was determined in the arcuate nucleus from early to term pregnancy. On the other hand, at preoptic area, the number of both TH+PRLR+ and GnRH+PRLR+ double-labeled neurons significantly decreased at mid-pregnancy probably allowing the recovery of GnRH expression indicating that both types of neurons may represent the key points of PRL indirect and direct pathways modulating GnRH. Moreover, in a model of induced hyperprolactinemic vizcachas, the inhibitory effect of PRL on GnRH at both expression and delivery levels were confirmed. These results suggest the concomitant participation of both PRL regulatory pathways on GnRH modulation and pinpoint the key role of PRL on GnRH expression enabling the recovery of the hypothalamic activity during the gestation in this species.
Assuntos
Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina , Hiperprolactinemia , Gravidez , Feminino , Animais , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/metabolismo , Receptores da Prolactina/metabolismo , Hormônios Liberadores de Hormônios Hipofisários/metabolismo , Hormônios Liberadores de Hormônios Hipofisários/farmacologia , Hiperprolactinemia/metabolismo , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Roedores/metabolismo , Neurônios Dopaminérgicos/metabolismoRESUMO
Kisspeptin and γ-amino butyric acid (GABA), synthesized in the central nervous system, are critical for reproduction. Both are also expressed in peripheral organs/tissues critical to metabolic control (liver/pancreas/adipose). Many kisspeptin neurons coexpress GABAB receptors (GABABR) and GABA controls kisspeptin expression and secretion. We developed a unique mouse lacking GABABR exclusively from kisspeptin cells/neurons (Kiss1-GABAB1KO) to evaluate the impact on metabolism/reproduction. We confirmed selective deletion of GABABR from Kiss1 cells in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus/periventricular nucleus continuum (AVPV/PeN; immunofluorescence and PCR) and arcuate nucleus (ARC), medial amygdala (MeA), pituitary, liver, and testes (PCR). Young Kiss1-GABAB1KO males were fertile, with normal LH and testosterone. Kiss1 expression was similar between genotypes in AVPV/PeN, ARC, MeA, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and peripheral organs (testis, liver, pituitary). Kiss1-GABAB1KO males presented higher fasted glycemia and insulin levels, an impaired response to a glucose overload, reduced insulin sensitivity, and marked insulin resistance. Interestingly, when Kiss1-GABAB1KO males got older (9 mo old) their body weight (BW) increased, in part due to an increase in white adipose tissue (WAT). Old Kiss1-GABAB1KO males showed higher fasted insulin, increased pancreatic insulin content, insulin resistance, and significantly decreased pancreatic kisspeptin levels. In sum, lack of GABABR specifically in Kiss1 cells severely impacts glucose homeostasis in male mice, reinforcing kisspeptin involvement in metabolic regulation. These alterations in glucose homeostasis worsened with aging. We highlight the impact of GABA through GABABR in the regulation of the pancreas kisspeptin system in contrast to liver kisspeptin that was not affected.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We developed a unique mouse lacking GABAB receptors specifically in Kiss1 cells to evaluate the impact on reproduction and metabolism. Knockout males showed a severe impact on glucose homeostasis, which worsened with aging. These results reinforce the proposed kisspeptin involvement in metabolic regulation and highlight the impact of GABA through GABABR in the regulation of the peripheral pancreas kisspeptin system.
Assuntos
Resistência à Insulina , Insulinas , Camundongos , Animais , Masculino , Kisspeptinas/genética , Kisspeptinas/metabolismo , Resistência à Insulina/genética , Estradiol/metabolismo , Camundongos Knockout , Reprodução/genética , Homeostase , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/metabolismoRESUMO
Melatonin, the key messenger of photoperiodic information, is synthesized in the pineal gland by arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase enzyme (AANAT). It binds to specific receptors MT1 and MT2 located in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Melatonin can modulate the reproductive axis affecting the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, shows natural poliovulation of up to 800 oocytes per estrous cycle, a 154-day long pregnancy, and reactivation of the reproductive axis at mid-gestation with pre-ovulatory follicular recruitment, presence of active corpora lutea, and variations of the endocrine status. Here we analyzed the involvement of melatonin in the modulation of the hypothalamic and pituitary gland physiology of vizcacha thorough several approaches, including histological localization of melatoninergic system components, assessment of melatoninergic components expression throughout the reproductive cycle, and evaluation of the effect of melatonin on hypothalamic and pituitary activities during the follicular and luteal phases of the estrous cycle. AANAT and melatonin receptors were localized in the pineal gland and preoptic area of the hypothalamus. Increase in pineal AANAT and serum melatonin expression was observed as pregnancy progressed, with the lowest hypothalamic MT1 and MT2 levels at mid-pregnancy. Pulsatility assays demonstrated that melatonin induces GnRH and LH secretion at luteal phase. The melatoninergic system effects on hypothalamic and pituitary gland hormones secretion during pregnancy pinpoint to melatonin as a potential key factor underlying the reactivation of the reproductive axis activity at mid-gestation.
Assuntos
Melatonina , Animais , Feminino , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Hormônio Luteinizante/metabolismo , Melatonina/metabolismo , Hipófise/metabolismo , Gravidez , América do SulRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The kisspeptin gene Kiss1 is expressed in two hypothalamic areas: anteroventral periventricular nucleus/periventricular nucleus (AVPV/PeN) and arcuate nucleus (ARC), and also in gonads. Several pieces of evidence suggests that gamma-amino butyric acid B receptors (GABAB) signaling can regulate Kiss1 expression. Here, we inhibited GABAB signaling from PND2 to PND21 and evaluated the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. METHODS: BALB/c mice were treated on postnatal days 2-21 (PND2-PND21) with CGP55845 (GABAB antagonist) and evaluated in PND21 and adulthood: gene expression (qPCR) in the hypothalamus and gonads, hormones by radioimmunoassay, gonad histochemistry (H&E), puberty onset, and estrous cycles. RESULTS: At PND21, CGP inhibited Kiss1 and Tac2 and increased Pdyn and Gabbr1 in the ARC of both sexes and decreased Th only in female AVPV/PeN. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testis weight were decreased in CGP-males, and puberty onset was delayed. In adults, Kiss1, Tac2, Pdyn, Pgr, Cyp19a1, and Gad1 were downregulated, while Gabbr1 was upregulated in the ARC of both sexes. In the AVPV/PeN, Kiss1, Th, Cyp19a1, and Pgr were decreased while Gad1 was increased in CGP-females, whereas Cyp19a1 was increased in CGP-males. Serum FSH was increased in CGP-males while prolactin was increased in CGP-females. Testosterone and progesterone were increased in ovaries from CGP-females, in which Kiss1, Cyp19a1, and Esr1 were downregulated while Hsd3b2 was upregulated, together with increased atretic and decreased ovulatory follicles. Testes from CGP-males showed decreased progesterone, increased Gabbr1, Kiss1, Kiss1r, and Esr2 and decreased Cyp19a1, and clear signs of seminiferous tubules atrophy. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that appropriate GABAB signaling during this critical prepubertal period is necessary for the normal development of the HPG axis.
Assuntos
Kisspeptinas , Progesterona , Animais , Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Feminino , Hormônio Foliculoestimulante , Antagonistas GABAérgicos , Gônadas , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Kisspeptinas/genética , Kisspeptinas/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Progesterona/metabolismo , Prolactina/metabolismo , Receptores de Kisspeptina-1/metabolismo , Maturidade Sexual/fisiologia , Testosterona/metabolismo , DesmameRESUMO
To explore in mice if a 15% food restriction protocol during pregnancy programs the offspring postnatal development, with emphasis on reproductive function, and to assess if ghrelin (Ghrl) administration to mouse dams exerts effects that mimic those obtained under mild caloric restriction. Mice were 15% food-restricted, injected with 4 nmol/animal/day of Ghrl, or injected with the vehicle (control) thorough pregnancy. After birth, the pups did not receive further treatment. Pups born from food-restricted dams (FR pups) were lighter than Ghrl pups at birth, but reached normal weight at adulthood. Ghrl pups were heavier at birth and gained more weight than control pups (C pups). This effect was not associated with plasma IGF-1. FR pups showed a delay in pinna detachment and eye opening, while an advance was observed in Ghrl pups. FR pups showed also impairment in the surface-righting reflex. In both female FR and Ghrl pups, there was an advance in vaginal opening and, in adulthood, FR pups showed a significant decrease in their own litter size and plasma progesterone, and an increase in embryo loss. A delay in testicular descent was evident in male Ghrl pups. Changes in puberty onset were not associated with differences in the expression of Kiss1 in hypothalamic nuclei. Finally, in adulthood, FR pups showed a significant decrease in sperm quality. In conclusion, a mild food restriction thorough gestation exerted programming effects on the offspring, affecting also their reproductive function in adulthood. These effects were not similar to those of intragestational Ghrl administration.
Assuntos
Restrição Calórica/métodos , Desenvolvimento Fetal/fisiologia , Grelina/administração & dosagem , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/genética , Desenvolvimento Sexual/fisiologia , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Vias de Administração de Medicamentos , Feminino , Desenvolvimento Fetal/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Camundongos , Gravidez , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/induzido quimicamente , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/fisiopatologia , Desenvolvimento Sexual/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Type 1 diabetes occurs as a consequence of progressive autoimmune destruction of beta cells. A potential treatment for this disease should address the immune attack on beta cells and their preservation/regeneration. The objective of this study was to elucidate whether the immunomodulatory synthetic oligonucleotide IMT504 was able to ameliorate diabetes in NOD mice and to provide further understanding of its mechanism of action. We found that IMT504 restores glucose homeostasis in a diabetes mouse model similar to human type 1 diabetes, by regulating expression of immune modulatory factors and improving beta cell function. IMT504 treatment markedly improved fasting glycemia, insulinemia, and homeostatic model assessment of beta cell function (HOMA-Beta cell) index. Moreover, this treatment increased islet number and decreased apoptosis, insulitis, and CD45+ pancreas-infiltrating leukocytes. In a long-term treatment, we observed improvement of glucose metabolism up to 9 days after IMT504 cessation and increased survival after 15 days of the last IMT504 injection. We postulate that interleukin (IL)-12B (p40), possibly acting as a homodimer, and Galectin-3 (Gal-3) may function as mediators of this immunomodulatory action. Overall, these results validate the therapeutic activity of IMT504 as a promising drug for type 1 diabetes and suggest possible downstream mediators of its immunomodulatory effect.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/tratamento farmacológico , Insulina/genética , Oligodesoxirribonucleotídeos/farmacologia , Oligonucleotídeos/farmacologia , Animais , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/genética , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Glucose/metabolismo , Humanos , Insulina/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos NOD , Oligodesoxirribonucleotídeos/genética , Oligonucleotídeos/genética , Pâncreas/efeitos dos fármacos , Pâncreas/metabolismo , Pâncreas/patologiaRESUMO
In addition to key mammotrophic hormones such as the pituitary prolactin (PRL) and the ovarian steroids progesterone and estradiol, there are local factors that modulate the tissue dynamics of the mammary glands during pregnancy and lactation. By immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, we found local transcription and translation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH), GNRH receptor (GNRHR), PRL and PRL receptor (PRLR) in mammary glands of adult vizcachas during pregnancy and lactation. Both GNRH and GNRHR showed a lag between protein expression and gene transcription throughout the gestational period: while the highest transcription levels of these genes were recorded at early-pregnancy, the epithelial immunoexpressions of both showed their maximum during lactation. RIA results corroborated the presence of GNRH in mammary glands at all the analyzed stages and confirmed the maximum amount of this peptide in the lactating group. Significant amounts of GNRH were detected in milk samples as well. Conversely, PRL and PRLR shared similar protein and gene expression profiles, all exhibiting maximum values during lactation. GNRH peptide content in mammary glands of females with sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia (HP) was significantly lower than that of control females (CT). Although PRL mRNA levels remained unchanged, there was a marked increase in theα-lactalbumin (LALBA) transcription in mammary glands of HP- vs CT-females. These results suggest that after targeting mammary glands, PRL stimulates the expression of milk protein genes, but also, tempers the local expression of GNRH. Mammary gland-explantssupplemented with a GNRH analogue (GN-explants) had no differences in terms of PRLR orLALBA transcription levels compared to CT-explants, so the mammary PRLR signaling would not appear to be modulated by GNRH. Yet, mRNA expression levels of both GNRH and the GNRHR-downstream factor, EGR1, were significantly higher in GN-explants compared to that of CT which would point to a GNRH-positive feedback mechanism. In summary, the local coupled expression of GNRH, GNRHR and EGR1 in the mammary gland throughout pregnancy of vizcachas, the PRL-dependent mammary GNRH secretion as well as the GNRH positive feedback on its own transcription suggest an autocrine-paracrine regulatory mechanism and propose an active role for GNRH in mammary gland tissue remodeling.
Assuntos
Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/genética , Homeostase , Glândulas Mamárias Animais/metabolismo , Receptores LHRH/genética , Roedores/genética , Animais , Proteína 1 de Resposta de Crescimento Precoce/metabolismo , Epitélio/metabolismo , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/análogos & derivados , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/metabolismo , Lactação/fisiologia , Ligantes , Especificidade de Órgãos , Gravidez , Prolactina/genética , Prolactina/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Receptores LHRH/metabolismo , Receptores da Prolactina/genética , Receptores da Prolactina/metabolismo , Reprodução , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Lack of GABAB receptors in GABAB1 knockout mice decreases neonatal ARC kisspeptin 1 (Kiss1) expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) in females, which show impaired reproduction as adults. Our aim was to selectively impair GABAB signaling during a short postnatal period to evaluate its impact on the reproductive system. Neonatal male and female mice were injected with the GABAB antagonist CGP 55845 (CGP, 1 mg/kg body wt sc) or saline from postnatal day 2 (PND2) to PND6, three times per day (8 AM, 1 PM, and 6 PM). One group was killed on PND6 for collection of blood samples (hormones by radioimmunoassay), brains for gene expression in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus-periventricular nucleus continuum (AVPV/PeN), and ARC micropunches [quantitative PCR (qPCR)] and gonads for qPCR, hormone contents, and histology. A second group of mice was injected with CGP (1 mg/kg body wt sc) or saline from PND2 to PND6, three times per day (8 AM, 1 PM, and 6 PM), and left to grow to adulthood. We measured body weight during development and parameters of sexual differentiation, puberty onset, and estrous cycles. Adult mice were killed, and trunk blood (hormones), brains for qPCR, and gonads for qPCR and hormone contents were obtained. Our most important findings on PND6 include the CGP-induced decrease in ARC Kiss1 and increase in neurokinin B (Tac2) in both sexes; the decrease in AVPV/PeN tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) only in females; the increase in gonad estradiol content in both sexes; and the increase in primordial follicles and decrease in primary and secondary follicles. Neonatally CGP-treated adults showed decreased ARC Kiss1 and ARC gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gnrh1) and increased ARC glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (Gad1) only in males; increased ARC GABAB receptor subunit 1 (Gabbr1) in both sexes; and decreased AVPV/PeN Th only in females. We demonstrate that ARC Kiss1 expression is chronically downregulated in males and that the normal sex difference in AVPV/PeN Th expression is abolished. In conclusion, neonatal GABAergic input through GABAB receptors shapes gene expression of factors critical to reproduction.
Assuntos
Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento/fisiologia , Hipotálamo Anterior/metabolismo , Receptores de GABA-B/metabolismo , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/efeitos dos fármacos , Estradiol/metabolismo , Feminino , Hormônio Foliculoestimulante/metabolismo , Antagonistas de Receptores de GABA-B/farmacologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento/efeitos dos fármacos , Glutamato Descarboxilase/genética , Glutamato Descarboxilase/metabolismo , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/genética , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/metabolismo , Hipotálamo Anterior/efeitos dos fármacos , Kisspeptinas/genética , Kisspeptinas/metabolismo , Hormônio Luteinizante/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Ovário/efeitos dos fármacos , Ovário/metabolismo , Ácidos Fosfínicos/farmacologia , Propanolaminas/farmacologia , Precursores de Proteínas/genética , Precursores de Proteínas/metabolismo , Puberdade/efeitos dos fármacos , Puberdade/genética , Receptores de Estrogênio/genética , Receptores de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Receptores de GABA-B/genética , Receptores de Progesterona/genética , Receptores de Progesterona/metabolismo , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos , Reprodução/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Diferenciação Sexual/efeitos dos fármacos , Diferenciação Sexual/genética , Taquicininas/genética , Taquicininas/metabolismo , Testículo/efeitos dos fármacos , Testículo/metabolismo , Testosterona/metabolismo , Tirosina 3-Mono-Oxigenase/genética , Tirosina 3-Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismoRESUMO
The South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, is the only mammal described so far that shows expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. This animal therefore constitutes an exceptional model for the study of the effect of steroid hormones on the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. By using both in vivo and ex vivo approaches, we have found that pharmacological doses of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) produced an inhibition in the expression of hypothalamic GnRH, while physiological doses produced a differential effect on the pulsatile release frequency or genomic expression of GnRH. Our ex vivo experiment indicates that a short-term effect of E2 modulates the frequency of GnRH release pattern that would be associated with membrane ERs. On the other hand, our in vivo approach suggests that a long-term effect of E2, acting through the classical nuclear ERs-PRs pathway, would produce the modification of GnRH mRNA expression during the GnRH pre-ovulatory surge. Particularly, P4 induced a rise in GnRH mRNA expression and protein release with a decrease in its release frequency. These results suggest different levels of action of steroid hormones on GnRH modulation. We conclude that the fine action of E2 and P4 constitute the key factor to enable the hypothalamic activity during the pregnancy of this mammal.