Importance of 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and their clinical use in prostate cancer.

Androgen receptor signaling is crucial for the development of treatment resistance in prostate cancer. Among steroidogenic enzymes, 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3ßHSDs) play critical roles in extragonadal androgen synthesis, especially 3ßHSD1. Increased expression of 3ßHSDs is observed in castration-resistant prostate cancer tumors compared with primary prostate tumors, indicating their involvement in castration resistance. Recent studies link 3ßHSD1 to resistance to androgen receptor signaling inhibitors. The regulation of 3ßHSD1 expression involves various factors, including transcription factors, microenvironmental influences, and posttranscriptional modifications. Additionally, the clinical significance of HSD3B1 genotypes, particularly the rs1047303 variant, has been extensively studied. The impact of HSD3B1 genotypes on treatment outcomes varies according to the therapy administered, suggesting the potential of HSD3B1 genotyping for personalized medicine. Targeting 3ßHSDs may be a promising strategy for prostate cancer management. Overall, understanding the roles of 3ßHSDs and their genetic variations may enable the development and optimization of novel treatments for prostate cancer.

Low-dose radiation-induced demethylation of 3ß-HSD participated in the regulation of testosterone content.

The effects of low-dose radiation (LDR, ≤0.1 Gy) on living organisms have been the hot areas of radiation biology but do not reach a definitive conclusion yet. So far, few studies have adequately accounted for the male reproductive system responses to LDR, particularly the regulation of testosterone content. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of LDR on Leydig cells and testicular tissue, especially the ability to synthesize testosterone. We found that less than 0.2-Gy 60 Co gamma rays did not cause significant changes in the hemogram index and the body weight; also, pathological examination did not find obvious structural alterations in testis, epididymis, and other radiation-sensitive organs. Consistently, the results from in vitro showed that only more than 0.5-Gy gamma rays could induce remarkable DNA damage, cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Notably, LDR disturbed the contents of testosterone in mice serums and culture supernatants of TM3 cells and dose dependently increased the expression of 3ß-HSD. After cotreatment with trilostane (Tril), the inhibitor of 3ß-HSD, increased testosterone could be partially reversed. Besides, DNA damage repair-related enzymes, including DNMT1, DNMT3B, and Sirt1, were increased in irradiated TM3 cells, accompanying by evident demethylation in the gene body of 3ß-HSD. In conclusion, our results strongly suggest that LDR could induce obvious perturbation in the synthesis of testosterone without causing organic damage, during which DNA demethylation modification of 3ß-HSD might play a crucial role and would be a potential target to prevent LDR-induced male reproductive damage.

Adrenal-permissive HSD3B1 genetic inheritance and risk of estrogen-driven postmenopausal breast cancer.

BACKGROUNDGenetics of estrogen synthesis and breast cancer risk has been elusive. The 1245A→C missense-encoding polymorphism in HSD3B1, which is common in White populations, is functionally adrenal permissive and increases synthesis of the aromatase substrate androstenedione. We hypothesized that homozygous inheritance of the adrenal-permissive HSD3B1(1245C) is associated with postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer.METHODSA prospective study of postmenopausal ER-driven breast cancer was done for determination of HSD3B1 and circulating steroids. Validation was performed in 2 other cohorts. Adrenal-permissive genotype frequency was compared between postmenopausal ER-positive breast cancer, the general population, and postmenopausal ER-negative breast cancer.RESULTSProspective and validation studies had 157 and 538 patients, respectively, for the primary analysis of genotype frequency by ER status in White female breast cancer patients who were postmenopausal at diagnosis. The adrenal-permissive genotype frequency in postmenopausal White women with estrogen-driven breast cancer in the prospective cohort was 17.5% (21/120) compared with 5.4% (2/37) for ER-negative breast cancer (P = 0.108) and 9.6% (429/4451) in the general population (P = 0.0077). Adrenal-permissive genotype frequency for estrogen-driven postmenopausal breast cancer was validated using Cambridge and The Cancer Genome Atlas data sets: 14.4% (56/389) compared with 6.0% (9/149) for ER-negative breast cancer (P = 0.007) and the general population (P = 0.005). Circulating androstenedione concentration was higher with the adrenal-permissive genotype (P = 0.03).CONCLUSIONAdrenal-permissive genotype is associated with estrogen-driven postmenopausal breast cancer. These findings link genetic inheritance of endogenous estrogen exposure to estrogen-driven breast cancer.FUNDINGNational Cancer Institute, NIH (R01CA236780, R01CA172382, and P30-CA008748); and Prostate Cancer Foundation Challenge Award.

Intratumoral steroid profiling of adrenal cortisol-producing adenomas by liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry.

Endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS) is an endocrine disorder marked by excess cortisol production rendering patients susceptible to visceral obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, osteoporosis and diabetes mellitus. Adrenal CS is characterized by autonomous production of cortisol from cortisol-producing adenomas (CPA) via adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent mechanisms. A limited number of studies have quantified the steroid profiles in sera from patients with CS. To understand the intratumoral steroid biosynthesis, we quantified 19 steroids by mass spectrometry in optimal cutting temperature compound (OCT)-embedded 24 CPA tissue from patients with overt CS (OCS, n = 10) and mild autonomous cortisol excess (MACE, n = 14). Where available, normal CPA-adjacent adrenal tissue (AdjN) was also collected and used for comparison (n = 8). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CYP17A1 and HSD3B2, two steroidogenic enzymes required for cortisol synthesis, was performed on OCT sections to confirm the presence of tumor tissue and guided subsequent steroid extraction from the tumor. LC-MS/MS was used to quantify steroids extracted from CPA and AdjN. Our data indicated that CPA demonstrated increased concentrations of cortisol, cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol, corticosterone, progesterone, 17OH-progesterone and 16OH-progesterone as compared to AdjN (p < 0.05). Compared to OCS, MACE patient CPA tissue displayed higher concentrations of corticosterone, 18OH-corticosterone, 21-deoxycortisol, progesterone, and 17OH-progesterone (p < 0.05). These findings also demonstrate that OCT-embedded tissue can be used to define intra-tissue steroid profiles, which will have application for steroid-producing and steroid-responsive tumors.

A Testis-Specific Long Noncoding RNA, Start, Is a Regulator of Steroidogenesis in Mouse Leydig Cells.

The testis expresses many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), but their functions and overview of lncRNA variety are not well understood. The mouse Prss/Tessp locus contains six serine protease genes and two lncRNAs that have been suggested to play important roles in spermatogenesis. Here, we found a novel testis-specific lncRNA, Start (Steroidogenesis activating lncRNA in testis), in this locus. Start is 1822 nucleotides in length and was found to be localized mostly in the cytosol of germ cells and Leydig cells, although nuclear localization was also observed. Start-knockout (KO) mice generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system were fertile and showed no morphological abnormality in adults. However, in adult Start-KO testes, RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses revealed an increase in the expression of steroidogenic genes such as Star and Hsd3b1, while ELISA analysis revealed that the testosterone levels in serum and testis were significantly low. Interestingly, at 8 days postpartum, both steroidogenic gene expression and testosterone level were decreased in Start-KO mice. Since overexpression of Start in two Leydig-derived cell lines resulted in elevation of the expression of steroidogenic genes including Star and Hsd3b1, Start is likely to be involved in their upregulation. The increase in expression of steroidogenic genes in adult Start-KO testes might be caused by a secondary effect via the androgen receptor autocrine pathway or the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. Additionally, we observed a reduced number of Leydig cells at 8 days postpartum. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that Start is a regulator of steroidogenesis in Leydig cells. The current study provides an insight into the overall picture of the function of testis lncRNAs.

miR-27b-5p inhibits BeWo cells fusion by regulating WNT2B and enzyme involved in progesterone synthesis.

PROBLEM: The miRNAs show placenta-specific expression patterns, which alter during pregnancy-related complications. In present study, the role of miR-27b-5p during forskolin-mediated BeWo cells fusion has been investigated. METHOD OF STUDY: The fusion of BeWo cells in response to forskolin treatment (25 µM) was studied by desmoplakin I+II staining. Expression profile of miR-27b-5p by qRT-PCR and its targets HSD3ß1 and WNT2B by qRT-PCR and in Western blot were studied. The effect of overexpression of miR-27b-5p and silencing of HSD3ß1 & WNT2B by siRNA on forskolin-mediated BeWo cells fusion and secretion of hCG and progesterone by ELISA was investigated. RESULTS: Time-dependent down-regulation in the expression of miR-27b-5p in forskolin-treated BeWo cells has been confirmed by qRT-PCR. Overexpression of miR-27b-5p significantly inhibits forskolin-mediated BeWo cells fusion as well as hCG & progesterone secretion. HSD3ß1 and WNT2B were identified as targets of miR-27b-5p and are up-regulated in forskolin-treated BeWo cells. Overexpression of miR-27b-5p in BeWo cells downregulates their expression. Further, luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-27b-5p directly target expression of both HSD3ß1 and WNT2B. Silencing of both HSD3ß1 and WNT2B leads to a significant reduction in forskolin-mediated BeWo cells fusion with concomitant decrease in the secretion of progesterone or/and hCG. Decrease in forskolin-mediated cells fusion observed in miR-27b-5p mimic transfected BeWo cells could be rescued by the overexpression of both HSD3ß1 and WNT2B. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that reduced miR-27b-5p in forskolin-treated BeWo cells leads to increased secretion of progesterone and hCG due to loss of repressional control on HSD3ß1 and WNT2B.

The Age-Dependent Changes of the Human Adrenal Cortical Zones Are Not Congruent.

BACKGROUND: While previous studies indicate that the zonae reticularis (ZR) and glomerulosa (ZG) diminish with aging, little is known about age-related transformations of the zona fasciculata (ZF). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the morphological and functional changes of the adrenal cortex across adulthood, with emphasis on (i) the understudied ZF and (ii) sexual dimorphisms. METHODS: We used immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), visinin-like protein 1 (VSNL1), 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (HSD3B2), 11ß-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), and cytochrome b5 type A (CYB5A) in adrenal glands from 60 adults (30 men), aged 18 to 86. Additionally, we employed mass spectrometry to quantify the morning serum concentrations of cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol (11dF), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, and androstenedione in 149 pairs of age- and body mass index-matched men and women, age 21 to 95 years. RESULTS: The total cortical area was positively correlated with age (r = 0.34, P = 0.008). Both the total (VSNL1-positive) and functional ZG (CYP11B2-positive) areas declined with aging in men (r = -0.57 and -0.67, P < 0.01), but not in women. The CYB5A-positive area declined with age in both sexes (r = -0.76, P < 0.0001). In contrast, the estimated ZF area correlated positively with age in men (r = 0.59, P = 0.0006) and women (r = 0.49, P = 0.007), while CYP11B1-positive area remained unchanged across ages. Serum cortisol, corticosterone, and 11-deoxycorticosterone levels were stable across ages, while 11dF levels increased slightly with age (r = 0.16, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Unlike the ZG and ZR, the ZF and the total adrenal cortex areas enlarge with aging. An abrupt decline of the ZG occurs with age in men only, possibly contributing to sexual dimorphism in cardiovascular risk.

Progesterone dose during synchronization treatment alters luteinizing hormone receptor and steroidogenic enzyme mRNA abundances in granulosa cells of Nellore heifers.

The objective was to investigate effects of progesterone (P4) dose on abundance of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHCGR), aromatase (CYP19A1), 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B1), and other steroidogenic mRNA transcripts in granulosa cells from dominant follicles. Nellore heifers were assigned to one of six groups: new, first-use controlled internal drug release device (CIDR1) inserted for 5 days (Large-P4-dose-D5; n = 7) or 6 days (Large-P4-dose-D6; n = 8), prostaglandin (PG)F2α administered on D0 and 1 previously-used CIDR (CIDR3) inserted for 5 days (Small- P4-dose-D5; n = 8) or 6 days (Small-P4-dose-D6; n = 8), CIDR1 inserted on D0 and removed plus PGF2α on D5 (Large-P4-dose-proestrus (PE); n = 7), and CIDR3 and PGF2α on D0 and 1, CIDR3 removed plus PGF2α on D5 (Small-P4-dose-PE; n = 7). Duration of P4 treatment (D5 compared to D6) affected abundances of CYP19A1 mRNA transcripts, with there being greater abundances on D6 than D5 (P ≤ 0.05). Heifers treated with the large dose of P4 had a smaller dominant follicle, less serum and intra-follicular estradiol (E2) concentrations (P ≤ 0.05) and lesser LHCGR, CYP19A1, and HSD3B1 transcript abundances (P ≤ 0.05). Heifers treated to induce PE had a larger follicle diameter (P = 0.09), greater intra-follicular E2 concentrations and larger abundances of CYP19A1 mRNA transcript (P ≤ 0.05) than heifers of the D6 group. Overall, treatment with larger doses of P4 resulted in lesser abundances of LHCGR, HSD3B1, and CYP19A1 mRNA transcripts; thus, potentially leading to development of smaller dominant follicles and lesser E2 concentrations.

Effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation on androgen synthesis and release from the pig endometrium during the fetal peri-implantation period.

An electromagnetic field (EMF) may have effects on female reproduction. This study was conducted to determine whether EMF [50 and 120 Hz, 2 and 4 h of incubation in the presence or absence of progesterone (P4, 10-5 M)] affects androgen synthesis and release from the pig endometrium. Endometrial slices were collected from pigs (n = 5) during the fetal peri-implantation period (i.e., days 15-16 of gestation) and treated in vitro with EMF. The selected endometrial slices were treated with P4 to determine whether this hormone has effects on protection of the tissue from EMF radiation. The CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 mRNA transcript abundance, steroid 17αhydroxylase/17, 20-lyase (cytochrome P450c17) and hydroxyΔ5steroid dehydrogenase/3ß and steroidΔisomerase (3ßHSD) protein abundance were examined using Real-Time PCR and Western Blot procedures, respectively. In media collected after incubation, the concentrations of androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T) were quantified used a RIA. When P4 was added to the culture medium, EMF radiation had suppressive effects on endometrial T release after 2 and 4 h of incubation when the EMF treatment was occurring and increased A4 release after 4 h of incubation with EMF at 120 Hz. When there was no inclusion of P4, release of A4 was decreased after 2 h of EMF treatment at 120 Hz and after 4 h of EMF treatment at 50 and 120 Hz. Progesterone did not have functions that protected the pig endometrium against EMF radiation during the fetal peri-implantation period.

Transcriptome analysis of sheep follicular development during prerecruitment, dominant, and mature stages after FSH superstimulation.

Sheep is usually a monovular animal; superovulation technology is used to increase the number of offspring per individual and shorten generation intervals. To date, mature FSH superstimulatory treatments have been successfully used in sheep breeding, but much remains unknown about genes, pathways, and biological functions involved in follicular development. Therefore, in this study, we performed transcriptome profiling of small follicles (SFs; 2-2.5 mm), medium follicles (MFs; 3.5-4.5 mm), and large follicles (LFs; > 6 mm) in Mongolian ewes after FSH superstimulation. Furthermore, we identified differentially expressed genes and performed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway and Gene Ontology enrichment analyses in 3 separate pairwise comparisons. We found that ovarian steroidogenesis was significantly enriched in the SFs versus MFs analysis; the associated genes, cytochrome P450 family 19 (CYP19) and Hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase 1 (HSD3B1), were significantly upregulated. Moreover, proline metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and PPAR signaling pathways were significantly enriched in the LFs versus SFs analysis; the associated genes, glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH), were significantly upregulated, whereas peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) was significantly downregulated. In summary, our study provides basic data and possible biological direction to further explore the molecular mechanism of sheep follicular development after FSH superstimulation.

Novel role of CXCL14 in modulating STAR expression in luteinized granulosa cells: implication for progesterone synthesis in PCOS patients.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in reproductive-age women. Reduced progesterone levels are associated with luteal phase deficiency in women with PCOS. The levels of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-14 (CXCL14) were previously reported to be decreased in human-luteinized granulosa (hGL) cells derived from PCOS patients. However, the function of CXCL14 in hGL cells and whether CXCL14 affects the synthesis of progesterone in hGL cells remain unclear. In the present study, the levels of CXCL14 were reduced in follicular fluid and hGL cells in PCOS patients, accompanied by decreased progesterone levels in follicular fluid and decreased steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) expression in hGL cells. CXCL14 administration partially reversed the low progesterone production and STAR expression in hGL cells obtained from PCOS patients. In primary hGL cells, CXCL14 upregulated STAR expression and progesterone production. CXCL14 activated the phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) and CREB inhibitor attenuated the modulation of StAR expression by CXCL14. P38 and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways were also activated by CXCL14 and inhibition of p38 and JNK attenuated the increase of phosphorylation of CREB, STAR expression and progesterone production caused by CXCL14. Our findings revealed the novel role of CXCL14 in upregulation of STAR expression and progesterone synthesis through CREB phosphorylation via activation of p38 and JNK pathways in hGL cells. This is likely contributing to the dysfunction in steroidogenesis in granulosa cells from PCOS patients.

The Progesterone 5ß-Reductase/Iridoid Synthase Family: A Catalytic Reservoir for Specialized Metabolism across Land Plants.

Iridoids are plant-derived terpenoids with a rich array of bioactivities. The key step in iridoid skeleton formation is the reduction of 8-oxogeranial by certain members of the progesterone 5ß-reductase/iridoid synthase (PRISE) family of short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases. Other members of the PRISE family have previously been implicated in the biosynthesis of the triterpenoid class of cardenolides, which requires the reduction of progesterone. Here, we explore the occurrence and activity of PRISE across major lineages of plants. We observed trace activities toward either 8-oxogeranial or progesterone in all PRISEs, including those from nonseed plants and green algae. Phylogenetic analysis, coupled with enzymatic assays, show that these activities appear to have become specialized in specific angiosperm lineages. This broad analysis of the PRISE family provides insight into how these enzymes evolved in plants and also suggests that iridoid synthase activity is an ancestral trait in all land plants, which might have contributed to the rise of iridoid metabolites.

Dysregulated expression of androgen metabolism genes and genetic analysis in hypospadias.

BACKGROUND: The aberrant expression of genes involved in androgen metabolism and genetic contribution are unclear in hypospadias. METHODS: We compared gene expression profiles by RNA sequencing from five non-hypospadiac foreskins, five mild hypospadiac foreskins, and five severe hypospadiac foreskins. In addition, to identify rare coding variants with large effects on hypospadias risk, we carried out whole exome sequencing in three patients in a hypospadias family. RESULTS: The average expression of androgen receptor (AR) and CYP19A1 were significantly decreased in severe hypospadias (p < .01) and mild hypospadias (p < .05), whereas expression of several other androgen metabolism enzymes, including CYP3A4, HSD17B14, HSD3B7, HSD17B7, CYP11A1 were exclusively significantly expressed in severe hypospadias (p < .05). Compound rare damaging mutants of AR gene with HSD3B1 and SLC25A5 genes were identified in the different severe hypospadias. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that dysregulation of AR and CYP19A1 could play a crucial role in the development of hypospadias. Inconsistent AR expression may be caused by the feedback loop of ESR1 signaling or combined genetic effects with other risk genes. This findings complement the possible role of AR triggered mechanism in the development of hypospadias.

Consequences of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation during early pregnancy - androgen synthesis and release from the myometrium of pigs in vitro.

An electromagnetic field (EMF) has been found to affect reproductive processes in females. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of low, non-ionizing EMF radiation on the steroidogenic activity of myometrium collected from pigs during the fetal peri-implantation period. Myometrial slices were treated with an EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 2 and 4 h of incubation) and examined for the aromatase cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C17-20lyase (CYP17A1) and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase (HSD3B1) mRNA transcript abundance, cytochrome P450c17 and 3ßHSD protein abundance and the secretion of androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T). To determine whether progesterone (P4) functions as a protectant from EMF radiation, the selected slices were treated with P4. In slices incubated without P4, EMF at 50 Hz altered cytochrome P450c17 protein abundance (4 h), HSD3B1 mRNA transcript abundance (4 h) and A4 release (2 h) as well as T release (2 h) in P4-treated slices. The EMF at 120 Hz in non P4-treated slices altered A4 release (2 and 4 h) whereas in P4-treated slices altered CYP17A1 mRNA transcript abundance (4 h), 3ßHSD protein abundance (4 h), A4 (4 h) and T release (2 h). In conclusion, EMF radiation in the myometrium collected during the peri-implantation period alters the CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 mRNA transcript and encoded protein abundance, and androgen release due to the time of treatment and P4 presence or absence. The P4 did not function directly as an obvious protector against EMF radiation in the myometrium of pigs during the fetal peri-implantation period.

Through the Looking-Glass: Reevaluating DHEA Metabolism Through HSD3B1 Genetics.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate together are abundant adrenal steroids whose physiological effects are mediated through their conversion to potent downstream androgens. 3ß-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isotype 1 (3ßHSD1) facilitates the rate-limiting step of DHEA metabolism and gates the flux of substrate into the distal portion of the androgen synthesis pathway. Notably, a germline, missense-encoding change, HSD3B1(1245C), results in expression of 3ßHSD1 protein that is resistant to degradation, yielding greater potent androgen production in the periphery. In contrast, HSD3B1(1245A) encodes 3ßHSD1 protein that is easily degraded, limiting peripheral androgen synthesis. These adrenal-permissive (AP) and adrenal-restrictive (AR) alleles have recently been associated with divergent outcomes in androgen-sensitive disease states, underscoring the need to reevaluate DHEA metabolism using HSD3B1 genetics.

An integrated RNA-Seq and network study reveals the effect of nicotinamide on adrenal androgen synthesis.

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin resulting from androgen-induced increased sebum production and altered keratinization. Nicotinamide (NAM), an amide form of vitamin B3 with a well-established safety profile, has shown good therapeutic potential in treating acne and its complications. NAM has anti-inflammatory effects and reduces sebum but its function in androgen biosynthesis remains unknown. In this study, we used a widely used cell model, starved human adrenal NCI-H295R cells, to examine the effects of NAM in androgen production and its mediated network changes. By treating NCI-H295R cells with 1-25 mmol/L of NAM, we found that cell viability was only slightly inhibited at the highest dose (25 mmol/L). NAM reduced testosterone production in a dose-dependent manner. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that key enzymes of androgen biosynthesis were significantly decreased under NAM treatment. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that gene sets of cell cycle, steroid biosynthesis, TGFß signalling, and targets of IGF1 or IGF2 were enriched in NAM-treated cells. Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the differentially expressed genes also suggested that steroidogenesis and SMAD signalling were affected by NAM. Overall, these crucial genes and pathways might form a complex network in NAM-treated NCI-H295R cells and result in androgen reduction. These findings help explain the potential molecular actions of NAM in acne vulgaris, and position NAM as a candidate for the treatment of other hyperandrogenic disorders.

HSD3B1 genotype identifies glucocorticoid responsiveness in severe asthma.

Asthma resistance to glucocorticoid treatment is a major health problem with unclear etiology. Glucocorticoids inhibit adrenal androgen production. However, androgens have potential benefits in asthma. HSD3B1 encodes for 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (3ß-HSD1), which catalyzes peripheral conversion from adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to potent androgens and has a germline missense-encoding polymorphism. The adrenal restrictive HSD3B1(1245A) allele limits conversion, whereas the adrenal permissive HSD3B1(1245C) allele increases DHEA metabolism to potent androgens. In the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP) III cohort, we determined the association between DHEA-sulfate and percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1PP). HSD3B1(1245) genotypes were assessed, and association between adrenal restrictive and adrenal permissive alleles and FEV1PP in patients with (GC) and without (noGC) daily oral glucocorticoid treatment was determined (n = 318). Validation was performed in a second cohort (SARP I&II; n = 184). DHEA-sulfate is associated with FEV1PP and is suppressed with GC treatment. GC patients homozygous for the adrenal restrictive genotype have lower FEV1PP compared with noGC patients (54.3% vs. 75.1%; P < 0.001). In patients with the homozygous adrenal permissive genotype, there was no FEV1PP difference in GC vs. noGC patients (73.4% vs. 78.9%; P = 0.39). Results were independently confirmed: FEV1PP for homozygous adrenal restrictive genotype in GC vs. noGC is 49.8 vs. 63.4 (P < 0.001), and for homozygous adrenal permissive genotype, it is 66.7 vs. 67.7 (P = 0.92). The adrenal restrictive HSD3B1(1245) genotype is associated with GC resistance. This effect appears to be driven by GC suppression of 3ß-HSD1 substrate. Our results suggest opportunities for prediction of GC resistance and pharmacologic intervention.

Placental production of progestins is fully effective in villous cytotrophoblasts and increases with the syncytiotrophoblast formation.

Placental syncytiotrophoblast (ST) is considered as the main placental endocrine tissue secreting progesterone, a steroid essential for maintenance of pregnancy. However, each step of progestins production has been poorly investigated in villous cytotrophoblast (VCT) regarding ST formation. We aimed to characterize progestins production during human differentiation of VCT into ST. VCTs were isolated from term placenta and cultivated, with or without forskolin (FSK), to stimulate trophoblast differentiation. Secreted progestins concentrations were determined by immuno-assay and Gas Chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Intracellular expression of cholesterol transporter and enzymes involved in steroidogenesis were studied by immunofluorescence, western-blot, and RT-qPCR. Progesterone and pregnenolone are produced by VCT and their secretion increases with VCT differentiation while 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentration remains undetectable. HSD3B1 enzyme expression increases whereas MLN64, the cholesterol placental mitochondrial transporter and P450SCC expressions do not. FSK induces progestins production. Progestins placental synthesis is effective since VCT and increases with ST formation thanks to mitochondria.

Nitrophenols suppress steroidogenesis in prehierarchical chicken ovarian follicles by targeting STAR, HSD3B1, and CYP19A1 and downregulating LH and estrogen receptor expression.

To assess the effects of 4-nitrophenol (PNP) and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (PNMC) on steroidogenesis in the chicken ovary, white (WF, 1-4 mm) and yellowish (YF, 4-8 mm) prehierarchical follicles were incubated in a medium supplemented with PNP or PNMC (10-8-10-4 M), ovine LH (oLH; 10 ng/mL), and combinations of oLH with PNP or PNMC (10-6 M). Testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) concentrations in media and mRNA expression for steroidogenic proteins (STAR, HSD3B1, and CYP19A1), and LH receptors (LHR), estrogen receptor α (ESR1) and ß (ESR2) in follicles were determined by RIA and real-time qPCR, respectively. PNP and PNMC decreased T and E2 secretion by the WF and YF, and oLH-stimulated T secretion from these follicles. PNP decreased basal STAR and HSD3B1 mRNA levels both in the WF and YF, and CYP19A1 mRNAs in the WF. PNP reduced oLH-affected mRNA expression of these genes in the YF. PNMC inhibited basal STAR, HSD3B1, and CYP19A1 mRNA expression in the WF, but not in the YF. PNMC reduced oLH-stimulated STAR and CYP19A1 expression in the YF and WF, respectively. PNP decreased basal mRNA expression of LHR, ESR1, and ESR2 in the WF, but it increased ESR1 and ESR2 mRNA levels in the YF. PNMC reduced both basal and oLH-affected LHR, ESR1, and ESR2 mRNA expression in the WF; however, it did not influence expression of these genes in the YF. We suggest that nitrophenols by influencing sex steroid synthesis and transcription of LH and estrogen receptors in prehierarchical ovarian follicles may impair their development and selection to the preovulatory hierarchy.