Horst Michna

The pure antiestrogen ICI 182780 is more effective in the induction of apoptosis and down regulation of BCL‐2 than tamoxifen in MCF‐7 cells

There is increasing evidence that induction of apoptosis by antihormones is an important mechanism in regard to their growth inhibitory action on hormone dependent tumors. In this report we have compared the efficiency of tamoxifen (Tam) and the pure antiestrogen ICI 182780 (ZM) to induce apoptosis in the estrogen dependent breast cancer cell line MCF‐7. Clear evidence for induction of apoptosis could be demonstrated after treatment with both antiestrogens. Application of the pure antiestrogen ZM led to a significantly higher induction of apoptosis compared to the partial agonistic compound Tam. The ability of the two compounds to induce apoptosis correlated with their growth inhibitory action. On the molecular level administration of ZM led to a time dependent steady decrease of BCL‐2 mRNA and protein. Administration of Tam also initially decreased the expression of BCL‐2. In contrast to ZM treatment, BCL‐2 expression increased again after 8 h of incubation with Tam. After 96 h Tam treated cells expressed BCL‐2 levels nearly as high as untreated cells. In general, ZM decreased BCL‐2 levels more effectively than Tam. Our results demonstrate that ZM and Tam possess quantitative and qualitative differences in their ability to down regulate BCL‐2 expression. The higher ability of the pure antiestrogen to down regulate BCL‐2 expression may explain the superiority of the pure antiestrogen to induce apoptosis and to inhibit the growth of MCF‐7 cells.

Combinatory effects of phytoestrogens and 17ß-estradiol on proliferation and apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Phytoestrogens have been described to be weak estrogens, SERMs or exhibit antiestrogenic properties. However, information about their activity in presence of estrogens is limited. Therefore, we have analysed the dose dependent combinatory activity of the phytoestrogens genistein (Gen), daidzein (Dai) and coumestrol (Cou), and 17beta-estradiol (E2) on cell proliferation and apoptosis induction in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Neither additive nor antagonistic effects on proliferation could be observed, but in contrast all phytoestrogens possessed the ability to inhibit apoptosis in the presence of 17beta-estradiol. In summary, our in vitro results demonstrate that Gen does not exhibit any antiestrogenic properties. The additive growth stimulatory effects of Gen, Dai and Cou in the presence of E2 are not the result of a stimulation of proliferation; these phytoestrogens, at least in MCF-7 cells, could be characterised as inhibitors of apoptosis.

Progesterone receptor repression by estrogens in rat uterine epithelial cells

Measurements performed using cell lines or animal tissues have shown that the progesterone receptor (PR) can be induced by estrogens. By use of immunohistochemistry we studied the effects of estrogens on the PR levels in the individual cell types of the target organs uterus and breast. In the uteri of rats, ovariectomy induced a decrease in PR immunoreactivity within the myometrium and outer stromal cell layers. In contrast, in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium and surrounding stromal cell layers the PR immunoreactivity was significantly enhanced. The same picture emerged when intact rats were treated with the pure estrogen receptor antagonist, ZM 182780 (10 mg/kg/d). Treatment of ovariectomized rats with estradiol resulted in high PR levels in the myometrium and stroma cells but low PR immunoreactivity in the epithelial cells. The ER-mediated repression of the PR immunoreactivity was evidently restricted to the uterine epithelium, as we found that in the epithelial cells of the mammary gland and in cells of N-nitrosomethylurea-induced mammary carcinomas the PR expression was induced by estrogens and was blocked by the pure antiestrogen ZM 182780. These results clearly show that in the rat the activated ER induces diverging effects on PR expression in different cell types even within the same organ.

Alteration of gene expression in rat colon mucosa after exercise.

The development of colon cancer is highly influenced by lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical inactivity. Detailed biological mechanisms are thus far unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of regular treadmill exercise on gene expression in rat colon mucosa. For this purpose, 6-week-old male Wistar rats completed a stress-free voluntary treadmill exercise period of 12 weeks. Sedentary rats served as a control group. In the colon mucosa, steady-state mRNA expression levels of approximately 10,000 genes were compared between both groups by micro-array analysis (MWG rat 10K array). A total of 8846 mRNAs were detected above background level. Regular exercise led to a decreased expression of 47 genes at a threshold-factor of 2.0. Three genes were found to be up-regulated in the exercise group. The identified genes encode proteins involved in signal transduction (n=11), transport (n=8), immune system (n=7), cytoskeleton (n=6), protein targeting (n=6), metabolism (n=5), transcription (n=3) and vascularization (n=2). Among the genes regulated by regular exercise, the betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase 2 (BHMT2) seems to be of particular interest. Physical activity may protect against aberrant methylation by repressing the BHMT2 gene and thus contribute to a decreased risk of developing colon cancer. We have also identified vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) and calcium-independent phospholipase a2 (iPL-A2), all of them with markedly reduced transcript levels in the mucosa of active rats. In summary, our experiment presents the first gene expression pattern in rat colon mucosa following regular treadmill activity and represents an important step in understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for the preventive effect of physical activity on the development of colon cancer.

Treatment with the pure antiestrogen faslodex (ICI 182780) induces tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Apoptosis induction by the pure antiestrogen faslodex, also known as ICI 182780 (ICI), is associated with an effective down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Recent observations point out that beside members of the Bcl-2 family also the TNFR1 signaling pathway may be involved in apoptosis induction by antiestrogens. In this report we have analyzed the expression of members of the TNFR1 signaling pathway during the apoptotic process induced by the pure antiestrogen faslodex and by tamoxifen (Tam) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Treatment with 10−7 M ICI or 10−7 M Tam leads to a time dependent increase of TNFR1 and TRADD steady-state mRNA levels in MCF-7 cells. In contrast, Bcl-2 expression was strongly decreased following administration of ICI but only weakly after administration of Tam. Western blot analysis and studies by the use of fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed a time dependent induction of TNFR1 protein and cell surface expression in MCF-7 cells in response to treatment with ICI. To investigate if TNFR1 is functionally involved in apoptosis induction by antiestrogens, we tested whether TNFR1 blocking antibodies can counteract the growth inhibitory action of Tam and ICI. Coincubation of MCF-7 cells with antiestrogens (ICI or Tam) and blocking TNFR1 antibodies lead to an increase in cell viability. Our results provide evidence for a cross talk between the TNFR1 signaling pathway and antiestrogens during the process of apoptosis induction in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The superiority of the pure antiestrogen ICI to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells may result from its capability to modulate the induction of apoptosis via Bcl-2 as well as TNF-associated signal transduction pathways.

Androgen-dependent morphology of prostates and seminal vesicles in the Hershberger Assay: Evaluation of immunohistochemical and morphometric parameters*

The aim of this study was to evaluate androgen-like effects using immunohistochemical and morphometric methods. Therefore, orchiectomized Wistar rats (n > or = 13) were treated s.c. with 1 mg/kg bw/day testosterone propionate (TP) for 7 days and compared to orchiectomized rats without TP substitution (OX) and to an untreated intact control group. Sections obtained from prostates and seminal vesicles were stained with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the androgen receptor (AR) and assessed densitometrically (intensity of the immunoreaction) and morphometrically (epithelial height, luminal area). TP caused an enhancement of staining intensity and an increase in organ weights, epithelial height and luminal area. The use of proliferation markers (PCNA, MIB-5) showed also a highly significant increase of immunoreactive cells in TP-substituted orchiectomized rats compared with the OX group. Based on the present data, the densitometric analysis of AR-immunoreactivity as well as the assessment of proliferation markers, epithelial height and luminal area proved to be sensitive parameters for the evaluation of androgen effects on prostates and seminal vesicles. In further studies these parameters will be used to test several industrial xenooestrogens as well as phytooestrogens on their possible androgenic capacity.

Gene expression profiling in human whole blood samples after controlled testosterone application and exercise

Doping with anabolic agents is regulated within a number of sports. Testosterone and its functional analogs are popular compounds for increasing muscle mass, physical performance, recovery, and reducing body fat. While routine tests for anabolic drugs exist (e.g. hair, urine, and blood analysis), the aim of the present study is to determine specific gene expression profiles (induced by testosterone and exercise) which may be used as effective biomarkers to determine the use of anabolic drugs. In this study, whole blood samples of 19 male volunteers were analyzed by semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for gene expression profiles in the context of exercise and transdermal testosterone application (1.5 mg/kg body weight). The hormone application was monitored by urine and saliva analysis for testosterone. Both urinary and saliva levels indicate that transdermal testosterone application leads to an increase of testosterone, especially after exercise. RT-PCR results showed a clear variation in the expression of target genes as well as established housekeeping genes. Only one of the nine common housekeeping genes, cyclophilin b (PPIB), appears to be independent of both exercise and testosterone. Out of 14 candidate genes, five are unregulated; all others were more or less influenced by the mentioned variables. Only interleukin-6 appeared to be exclusively dependent on long-term testosterone application. This study indicates that many genes are not influenced by testosterone alone while exercise modulates gene expression in whole blood samples. As such, exercise must be considered when validating gene expression techniques for doping analysis.

The xenoestrogen bisphenol A in the Hershberger assay: androgen receptor regulation and morphometrical reactions indicate no major effects.

We evaluated androgen-like effects of bisphenol A (BPA) using orchiectomized Wistar rats. Animals were treated p.o. either with vehicle or with 3, 50, 200, 500 mg/kgbw/day BPA (n=13) for 7 days. One group was treated s.c. with 1mg/kgbw/day testosterone propionate (TP). Flutamide (FL) (3mg/kgbw/day, p.o.) was used to antagonize androgen effects of the suprapharmacological dose (500 mg/kgbw/day) of BPA. Androgen-like effects of BPA on prostates and seminal vesicles were assessed by the Hershberger assay, densitometric analysis of androgen receptor (AR) immunoreactivity, cell proliferation-index and a morphometric analysis. Absolute weights of prostates and seminal vesicles were not increased by BPA, whereas the relative weights were increased at higher doses of BPA, most likely due to a decrease in body weight. Staining intensity for AR immunoreactivity was increased at low but not at higher doses of BPA in comparison to the orchiectomized rats. BPA at all doses tested did not cause an increase of the cell proliferation-index. Epithelial height and glandular luminal area were increased by low doses of BPA, whereas higher doses caused a decrease of these parameters. The data provide evidence that BPA does not exert major androgenic effects.

Exercise in Cancer Therapy

An increasing number of epidemiological studies deal with the influence of physical activity in occupation or leisure time on cancer risk. Most of them portend to the fact that physical activity can decrease the risk of developing several types of cancer. In contrast, only a few studies focus on exercise training intervention studies to investigate the effect of physical activity during cancer rehabilitation on physical performance and immune function as well as psychological behavior such as quality of life. A meta-analysis of the literature shows a training-induced increase in the physical fitness of cancer patients in comparison to non-training control groups during and after medical treatment. Although some authors suggest a possible immuneenhancing effect of moderate-endurance exercise in cancer patients, data are ambiguous and portend a lack of knowledge. Based on the literature and our own findings, regular moderate exercise should be recommended in practice and must be batched individually, with special regard to physical fitness

Antiprogestins: Past, Present, and Future

Within the last decade major breakthroughs in hormone research were achieved through the discovery of new classes of pharmacological agents, the estrogen and progesterone receptor antagonists. The progesterone antagonists are of use in two important areas of research. These compounds can be used as: (1) pharmacological probes to investigate the cellular and molecular actions of progestins, and (2) clinical agents that inhibit events regulated by estrogen and progestin. This chapter addresses the most recent research, uses, and concerns related to progesterone receptor antagonists and considers the newest antiprogestin ligands.