Magdalena Szymanska

The effect of antidepressant drugs on the HPA axis activity, glucocorticoid receptor level and FKBP51 concentration in prenatally stressed rats.

Dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity is thought to be an important factor in pathogenesis of depression. In animals, stress or glucocorticoids given in prenatal period lead to long-lasting behavioral and neuroendocrine changes similar to those observed in depressed patients. However, molecular basis for HPA disturbances in animals exposed to prenatal stress - a model of depression - have been only partially recognized. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the effect of prenatal stress on behavioral changes, blood corticosterone level, concentrations of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and its cochaperone, FKBP51, in the hippocampus and frontal cortex in adult rats. It has been found that prenatally stressed rats display high level of immobility in the Porsolt test and anxiety-like behavior. The HPA axis hyperactivity in theses animals was evidenced by corticosterone hypersecretion at the end of the light phase and 1h following acute stress. Western blot study revealed that GR level was significantly elevated in the hippocampus but not in the frontal cortex of prenatally stressed rats, whereas concentration of FKBP51 was decreased only in the former brain structure. Chronic treatment with imipramine, fluoxetine, mirtazapine and tianeptine have diminished both behavioral and biochemical alterations observed in this animal model of depression. These data indicate that the increase in hippocampal GR level and low concentration of FKBP51 in the frontal cortex may be responsible for enhanced glucocorticoid action in depression.

Prenatal stress decreases glycogen synthase kinase-3 phosphorylation in the rat frontal cortex

It has been postulated that hyperactive glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of depression, and that this enzyme also contributes to the mechanism of antidepressant drug action. In the present study, we investigated the effect of prenatal stress (an animal model of depression) and long-term treatment with antidepressant drugs on the concentration of GSK-3beta and its main regulating protein kinase B (PKB, Akt). The concentration of GSK-3beta, its inactive form (phospho-Ser9-GSK-3beta), and the amounts of active (phospho-Akt) and total Akt were determined in the hippocampus and frontal cortex in rats. In order to verify our animal model of depression, immobility time in the forced swim test (Porsolt test) was also determined.We found that prenatally stressed rats display a high level of immobility in the Porsolt test and chronic treatment with imipramine, fluoxetine, mirtazapine and tianeptine normalize this change. Western blot analysis demonstrated that GSK-3beta levels were significantly elevated in the frontal cortex, but not in the hippocampus, of prenatally stressed rats. The concentration of its non-active form (phospho-Ser9-GSK-3beta) was decreased only in the former brain structure. No changes were found in the amounts of active (phospho-Akt) and total Akt in both studied brain structures. Chronic treatment with antidepressant drugs diminished stress-induced alterations in GSK-3beta and phospho-GSK-3beta the frontal cortex, but had no effect on the concentration of these enzymes in the hippocampus. Moreover, levels of Akt and phospho-Akt in all experimental groups remained unchanged. Since our animal model of depression is connected with hyperactivity of the HPA axis, our results suggest that GSK-3beta is an important intracellular target for maladaptive glucocorticoid action on frontal cortex neurons and in antidepressant drug effects. Furthermore, the influence of stress and antidepressant drugs on GSK-3beta does not appear to impact the kinase activity of Akt.

Effect of conceptus on transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 mRNA expression and protein concentration in the porcine endometrium--in vivo and in vitro studies.

Abstract Transforming growth factor (TGF) β and its receptors are expressed at the conceptus-maternal interface during early pregnancy in the pig. The present studies were conducted to examine: (1) the effect of conceptus products on TGFβ1 mRNA expression and protein concentration in the porcine endometrium using in vivo and in vitro models, and (2) the effect of TGFβ1 on proliferation of porcine trophoblast cells in vitro. During in vivo experiments, gilts with one surgically detached uterine horn were slaughtered on days 11 or 14 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. For in vitro studies, endometrial explants and luminal epithelial (LE) cells co-cultured with stromal (ST) cells were treated with conceptus-exposed medium (CEM). Moreover, porcine trophoblast cells were treated with TGFβ1, and the number of viable cells was measured. On day 11, the presence of conceptuses had no effect on TGFβ1 mRNA expression, but decreased the TGFβ1 protein concentration in the connected uterine horn compared with the detached uterine horn. In contrast to day 11, on day 14 after estrus, TGFβ1 mRNA expression and protein content in the endometrium collected from the gravid uterine horn were greater when compared with the contralateral uterine horn. The treatment of endometrial slices with CEM resulted in greater TGFβ1 mRNA expression and protein secretion. LE cells responded to CEM with an increased TGFβ1 mRNA level. Moreover, TGFβ1 stimulated the proliferation of day 14 trophoblast cells. In summary, porcine conceptuses may regulate TGFβ1 synthesis in the endometrium at the time of implantation. TGFβ1, in turn, may promote conceptus development by increasing the proliferation of trophoblast cells.

Effects of PB190 and PB212, new σ receptor ligands, on glucocorticoid receptor-mediated gene transcription in LMCAT cells

The hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis is often observed in patients with major depression. It has even been implicated in the pathophysiology of this disease. Some antidepressant drugs (ADs) inhibit glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function under in vitro conditions. The σ(1) receptor agonists reveal potential antidepressant activity in animals, moreover, igmesine is promising as an AD in humans. As already shown, σ receptors are involved in stress-induced responses (e.g., conditioned fear stress in mice). The aim of the present study was to find out whether the new selective σ receptor ligands, PB190 and PB212, are able to affect directly the endocrine system activity. To this end, we evaluated their influence on GR function in mouse fibroblast cells (L929), stably transfected with mouse mammary tumor virus-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (MMTV-CAT) plasmid (LMCAT cells). Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, recognized as a σ(1) receptor agonist was used for comparison. The obtained results showed that both PB190 and PB212 (potential σ(1) receptor agonist and antagonist, respectively) like fluvoxamine, decreased the corticosterone-induced CAT activity in a concentration-dependent manner. The significance of this fact remains ambiguous and requires further studies.

Prostacyclin receptor (PTGIR) in the porcine endometrium: Regulation of expression and role in luminal epithelial and stromal cells

The prostacyclin (PGI2) signaling pathway plays an important role during early pregnancy in rodents and ruminants. Abundant concentrations of PGI2 were also found in the endometrium and uterine lumen of gilts during the period of implantation. The present study was designed to examine (1) the expression of PGI2 receptor (PTGIR) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in the endometrium of cyclic and early-pregnant gilts; (2) possible regulation of endometrial PTGIR gene expression by conceptus products, estradiol and cytokines; (3) the effect of iloprost (a PGI2 analogue) on cAMP formation and the expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; isoform 164) mRNA in luminal epithelial (LE) and stromal (ST) cells. Increased PTGIR mRNA expression in the endometrium was detected on Days 11 to 12 and 18 to 20 of pregnancy compared with respective days of the estrous cycle (P < 0.05). Moreover, greater PTGIR protein level was observed in pregnant than in cyclic gilts on Days 11 to 12 after estrus (P < 0.05). Gilts with unilateral pregnancy revealed abundant PTGIR expression in the endometrium collected from the gravid uterine horn of Day-11 pregnant gilts compared with the respective horn of cyclic animals (P < 0.01). Both LE and ST cells of the endometrium possess PTGIR protein. Moreover, IL1β, IFNγ, and conceptus-exposed medium, but not estradiol, stimulated PTGIR mRNA expression in LE and ST cells in vitro. Activation of PTGIR by incubation of LE and ST cells with iloprost resulted in greater cAMP generation (P < 0.01). Moreover, iloprost increased FGF-2 and VEGF164 mRNA expression in ST (P < 0.05), but not LE cells. In conclusion, this study revealed increased expression of PTGIR in the porcine endometrium during the peri-implantation period and reported a possible regulation of PTGIR abundance by conceptus-derived factors. Moreover, besides its important role in vascular system, PGI2 may promote the expression of proangiogenic genes in the uterine stroma.

Effect of Oestrus Synchronization with PGF2α/eCG/hCG on Luteal P4 Synthesis in Early Pregnant Gilts

Administration of hormones to synchronize oestrus is a useful tool in animal breeding. However, exogenous ovarian stimulation may be detrimental to reproductive function. This study was aimed to examine whether an oestrus synchronization with PGF2α/eCG/hCG could affect luteal P4 synthesis in early pregnant gilts. Corpora lutea (CLs) were collected on days 9, 12 and 16 of pregnancy from gilts with natural (n = 16) and synchronized (n = 18) oestrus and analysed for (i) the expre-ssion of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A polypeptide (CYP11A1), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD); (ii) the concentration of P4 in the luteal tissue and blood; and (iii) the expression of luteinizing hormone receptors (LHR) and oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ). Additionally, the effect of LH on P4 secretion from CL slices collected from synchronized and naturally ovulated animals has been studied in vitro. PGF2α /eCG/hCG administration increased mRNA expression of StAR, CYP11A1, 3βHSD, and LHR on day 9 and CYP11A1 and LHR on day 12 of pregnancy compared with the control group (p < 0.05). CYP11A1, 3βHSD, LHR, ERα and ERβ proteins were not affected by synchronization; only StAR protein increased in hormonally treated animals (p = 0.017). The concentration of P4 in luteal tissue was greater on day 9 (p < 0.01), but lower on day 16 (p < 0.05) in gilts with hormonally induced oestrus compared with control animals. Blood serum levels of P4 were lower in synchronized than control gilts (p < 0.001). Synchronization did not affect LH-stimulated P4 secretion from luteal slices; however, greater basal concentration of P4 in incubation medium was detected for CLs collected from synchronized than control gilts (p < 0.05). In conclusion, synchronization of oestrus with PGF2α/eCG/hCG protocol in gilts did not impair the expression of luteal P4 synthesis system, although decreased P4 concentration in the blood.

Luteal P4 synthesis in early pregnant gilts after induction of estrus with PMSG/hCG.

The present study was designed to examine whether an estrus induction with gonadotropins could affect luteal P4 synthesis in early pregnant gilts. Sixteen prepubertal gilts received 750IU of PMSG and 500IU of hCG 72h later. Prepubertal gilts in the control group (n=17) were observed daily for estrus behavior. All gilts were inseminated in their first estrus. Corpora lutea (CLs) were collected on days 10, 12 and 15 of pregnancy and analyzed for (1) the mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A polypeptide 1 (CYP11A1), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD); (2) the tissue concentration of P4; and (3) the mRNA expression of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2). Additionally, P4 concentration was analyzed in blood serum of all animals. PMSG/hCG injections to induce estrus decreased mRNA expression of StAR, CYP11A1 and 3βHSD on day 10 and CYP11A1 on day 12 of pregnancy compared with the control group, while CYP11A1 and 3βHSD proteins were down-regulated on day 10 in the hormonally-treated gilts. Concentrations of P4 in luteal tissue and blood serum were also lower in animals after gonadotropin-induced estrus. In contrast, LHR and ESR1 mRNA expression was greater in PMSG/hCG-treated than control gilts on day 15 of gestation. In conclusion, induction of estrus with a PMSG/hCG protocol in prepubertal gilts impaired expression of the luteal P4 synthesis system. Low P4 content may, in turn, induce local mechanisms involving LHR and ESR1 expression to support CL function.

Prostacyclin synthesis and prostacyclin receptor expression in the porcine corpus luteum: evidence for a luteotropic role in vitro†

Abstract The prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2) signaling system is an essential regulator of vascular homeostasis. Since the corpus luteum is a highly vascularized gland, prostacyclin seems to be crucial for luteal development and function. Although progress has been made in understanding the luteotropic action of prostacyclin in mammals, its role in the porcine corpus luteum remains to be determined. Therefore, studies were conducted to (1) determine profiles of prostacyclin synthase expression and prostacyclin metabolite concentration, as well as prostacyclin G-protein-coupled receptor expression in porcine luteal tissue on days 2 to 16 of the estrous cycle and days 10 to 30 of pregnancy using real-time PCR, western blot, or enzyme immunoassay; and (2) examine the effect of prostacyclin on progesterone synthesis in vitro. To accomplish the second aim, luteal cells were treated with prostacyclin analogs, iloprost and carbaprostacyclin, in the presence or absence of prostacyclin receptor antagonists. The mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 and hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase 1 was analyzed using real-time PCR, while progesterone concentration in culture medium was assessed by radioimmunoassay. Dynamic changes of prostacyclin synthase and prostacyclin receptor expression were observed in porcine luteal tissue during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Moreover, prostacyclin stimulated progesterone production and this effect was abolished by the addition of prostacyclin receptor antagonists. Our findings provide strong evidence that prostacyclin and its signaling system are present in corpus luteum of the pig and may directly promote luteotropic activity through upregulation of progesterone synthesis. Summary Sentence Prostacyclin and its receptor system may promote luteotropic action through stimulation of luteal progesterone production.