Regulation of Normal and Neoplastic Steroidogenic Cell Differentiation in the Adrenal Gland and Ovary
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The main steroidogenic organs, adrenal cortex and ovary, arise from a common pool of progenitors in the developing embryo. Similar signaling pathways regulate the differentiation, growth, and survival of cells in these tissues. Proper development of the adrenal cortex and ovary requires precise spatiotemporal control of gene expression and apoptosis; disruption of these processes may lead to congenital disorders or malignant transformation. Earlier in vitro studies demonstrated that transcription factor GATA6 regulates the expression of multiple steroidogenic genes in the adrenal cortex. To show that GATA6 is a crucial regulator of adrenocortical development and function in vivo, we generated a mouse model in which Gata6 is conditionally deleted in steroidogenic cells. These mice exhibited a complex adrenal phenotype that includes cortical thinning, blunted aldosterone production, lack of an X-zone, impaired apoptosis, and subcapsular cell hyperplasia. These results offer genetic proof that GATA6 regulates the differentiation of steroidogenic progenitors into adrenocortical cells. Ovarian granulosa cell tumors (GCTs), the most common sex-cord stromal tumors in women, are thought to be caused by aberrant granulosa cell apoptosis during folliculogenesis. A somatic missense mutation in transcription factor FOXL2 (402C→G) is present in vast majority of human GCTs. FOXL2 plays a key role in the development and function of normal granulosa cells. Wild type (wt) FOXL2 induces GCT cell apoptosis, while mutated FOXL2 is less effective. To clarify the molecular pathogenesis of GCTs, we investigated the impact of FOXL2 and two other factors implicated in granulosa cell function, GATA4 and SMAD3, on gene expression and cell viability in GCTs. We found that these factors physically interact and that GATA4 and SMAD3 synergistically induce CCND2 promoter transactivation, which is reduced by both wt and mutated FOXL2. Finally, we demonstrated that GATA4 and SMAD3 protect GCT cells from wt FOXL2 induced apoptosis without affecting the apoptosis induced by mutated FOXL2. These findings suggest that mutated FOXL2 disrupts the balance between growth and apoptosis in granulosa cells, leading to malignant transformation. The treatment of recurrent or metastatic GCTs is challenging, and biologically targeted treatment modalities are needed. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) activates the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Interestingly, TRAIL is able to induce apoptosis in malignant cells without affecting normal cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the key regulator of both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Cancer cells often express VEGF receptor, and an autocrine VEGF/VEGFR signaling loop exists in several types of cancer cells. We found that GCT cells express functional TRAIL and VEGF receptors, and that treatment with TRAIL and the VEGF-binding antibody (bevacizumab) induce GCT cell apoptosis. These findings establish a preclinical basis for targeting these two pathways in the GCT treatment.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Marjut Pihlajoki
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1556669800