Metabolic regulator ERRγ governs gastric stem cell differentiation into acid-secreting parietal cells.

Parietal cells (PCs) produce gastric acid to kill pathogens and aid digestion. Dysregulated PC census is common in disease, yet how PCs differentiate is unclear. Here, we identify the PC progenitors arising from isthmal stem cells, using mouse models and human gastric cells, and show that they preferentially express cell-metabolism regulator and orphan nuclear receptor Estrogen-related receptor gamma (Esrrg, encoding ERRγ). Esrrg expression facilitated the tracking of stepwise molecular, cellular, and ultrastructural stages of PC differentiation. EsrrgP2ACreERT2 lineage tracing revealed that Esrrg expression commits progenitors to differentiate into mature PCs. scRNA-seq indicated the earliest Esrrg+ PC progenitors preferentially express SMAD4 and SP1 transcriptional targets and the GTPases regulating acid-secretion signal transduction. As progenitors matured, ERRγ-dependent metabolic transcripts predominated. Organoid and mouse studies validated the requirement of ERRγ for PC differentiation. Our work chronicles stem cell differentiation along a single lineage in vivo and suggests ERRγ as a therapeutic target for PC-related disorders.

Combination of bazedoxifene with chemotherapy and SMAC-mimetics for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Excessive STAT3 signalling via gp130, the shared receptor subunit for IL-6 and IL-11, contributes to disease progression and poor survival outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Here, we provide evidence that bazedoxifene inhibits tumour growth via direct interaction with the gp130 receptor to suppress IL-6 and IL-11-mediated STAT3 signalling. Additionally, bazedoxifene combined with chemotherapy synergistically reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in patient-derived colon cancer organoids. We elucidated that the primary mechanism of anti-tumour activity conferred by bazedoxifene treatment occurs via pro-apoptotic responses in tumour cells. Co-treatment with bazedoxifene and the SMAC-mimetics, LCL161 or Birinapant, that target the IAP family of proteins, demonstrated increased apoptosis and reduced proliferation in colorectal cancer cells. Our findings provide evidence that bazedoxifene treatment could be combined with SMAC-mimetics and chemotherapy to enhance tumour cell apoptosis in colorectal cancer, where gp130 receptor signalling promotes tumour growth and progression.

CADHERIN-11 regulation of myeloid phagocytes and autoimmune inflammation in murine lupus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Understanding the regulation of efferocytosis by myeloid phagocytes is important in identifying novel targets in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cadherin-11 (CDH11), a cell adhesion molecule, is implicated in inflammatory arthritis and fibrosis and recently been shown to regulate macrophage phagocytosis. The extent and mechanism of this regulation is unknown. Our objective was to examine the extent to which CDH11 regulates myeloid phagocytes and contributes to autoimmunity and tissue inflammation. METHODS: We analyzed efferocytosis in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) from WT and Cdh11-/- mice and investigated the mechanisms in vitro. We investigated the role of CDH11 in disease development in vivo using the pristane induced lupus model. To translate the clinical relevance of CDH11 in human disease, we measured serum CDH11 levels in two independent pediatric SLE (pSLE) cohorts and healthy controls. RESULTS: Using bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) and DCs (BMDCs), we found impaired efferocytosis in phagocytes from Cdh11-/- mice, mediated by downregulated efferocytosis receptor expression and RhoGTPase activation. Specifically, loss of CDH11 downregulated Mertk expression and Rac1 activation in BMDMs, and integrin αVß3 expression and Cdc42 activation in BMDCs, highlighting distinct pathways. In vivo, Cdh11-/- mice displayed defective efferocytosis and increased accumulation of apoptotic debris in pristane-induced lupus. Further, Cdh11-/- mice had enhanced systemic inflammation and autoimmune inflammation with increased anti-dsDNA autoantibodies, splenomegaly, type I interferons, and inflammatory cytokines. Paradoxically, at the tissue level, Cdh11-/- mice were protected against glomerulonephritis, indicating a dual role in murine lupus. Finally, SLE patients had increased serum CDH11 compared to controls. CONCLUSION: This study highlights a novel role of CDH11 in regulating myeloid cells and efferocytosis and its potential as a contributor to development in autoimmunity murine lupus. Despite the increase in autoimmunity, Cdh11-/- mice developed decreased tissue inflammation and damage.

Mechanisms driving fasting-induced protection from genotoxic injury in the small intestine.

Genotoxic agents such as doxorubicin (DXR) can cause damage to the intestines that can be ameliorated by fasting. How fasting is protective and the optimal timing of fasting and refeeding remain unclear. Here, our analysis of fasting/refeeding-induced global intestinal transcriptional changes revealed metabolic shifts and implicated the cellular energetic hub mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in protecting from DXR-induced DNA damage. Our analysis of specific transcripts and proteins in intestinal tissue and tissue extracts showed that fasting followed by refeeding at the time of DXR administration reduced damage and caused a spike in mTORC1 activity. However, continued fasting after DXR prevented the mTORC1 spike and damage reduction. Surprisingly, the mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin, did not block fasting/refeeding-induced reduction in DNA damage, suggesting that increased mTORC1 is dispensable for protection against the initial DNA damage response. In Ddit4-/- mice [DDIT4 (DNA-damage-inducible transcript 4) functions to regulate mTORC1 activity], fasting reduced DNA damage and increased intestinal crypt viability vs. ad libitum-fed Ddit4-/- mice. Fasted/refed Ddit4-/- mice maintained body weight, with increased crypt proliferation by 5 days post-DXR, whereas ad libitum-fed Ddit4-/- mice continued to lose weight and displayed limited crypt proliferation. Genes encoding epithelial stem cell and DNA repair proteins were elevated in DXR-injured, fasted vs. ad libitum Ddit4-/- intestines. Thus, fasting strongly reduced intestinal damage when normal dynamic regulation of mTORC1 was lost. Overall, the results confirm that fasting protects the intestines against DXR and suggests that fasting works by pleiotropic - including both mTORC1-dependent and independent - mechanisms across the temporally dynamic injury response.NEW & NOTEWORTHY New findings are 1) DNA damage reduction following a 24-h fast depends on the timing of postfast refeeding in relation to chemotherapy initiation; 2) fasting/refeeding-induced upregulation of mTORC1 activity is not required for early (6 h) protection against DXR-induced DNA damage; and 3) fasting increases expression of intestinal stem cell and DNA damage repair genes, even when mTORC1 is dysregulated, highlighting fasting's crucial role in regulating mTORC1-dependent and independent mechanisms in the dynamic recovery process.

Mechanisms of cellular crosstalk in the gastric tumor microenvironment are mediated by YAP1 and STAT3.

Deregulation of the Hippo pathway is a driver for cancer progression and treatment resistance. In the context of gastric cancer, YAP1 is a biomarker for poor patient prognosis. Although genomic tumor profiling provides information of Hippo pathway activation, the present study demonstrates that inhibition of Yap1 activity has anti-tumor effects in gastric tumors driven by oncogenic mutations and inflammatory cytokines. We show that Yap1 is a key regulator of cell metabolism, proliferation, and immune responses in normal and neoplastic gastric epithelium. We propose that the Hippo pathway is targetable across gastric cancer subtypes and its therapeutic benefits are likely to be mediated by both cancer cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms.

Cadherin-11 and Its Role in Tissue Fibrosis.

Fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix that results from chronic inflammation and injury, leading to the loss of tissue integrity and function. Cadherins are important adhesion molecules that classically mediate calcium-dependent cell-to-cell adhesion and play important roles in tissue development and cellular migration but likely have functions beyond these important roles. Cadherin-11 (CDH11), a member of the cadherin family, has been implicated in several pathological processes including cancer. More recent evidence suggests that CDH11 is a central mediator of tissue fibrosis. CDH11 expression is increased in patients with fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and systemic sclerosis. CDH11 expression is increased in mouse models of lung, skin, liver, cardiac, renal, and intestinal fibrosis. Targeting CDH11 in murine models of fibrosis clearly demonstrates that CDH11 is a common mediator of fibrosis across multiple tissues. Insight into potential mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level is emerging. In this review, we present the evolving evidence for the involvement of CDH11 in tissue fibrosis. We also discuss some of the proposed mechanisms and highlight the potential of CDH11 as a common therapeutic target and biomarker in different fibrotic pathologies.

Cadherin-11 Regulates Macrophage Development and Function.

Cadherin-11 (CDH11) is a cell-cell adhesion protein that has previously been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. It is expressed on macrophages in the fibrotic lung. However, the role of CDH11 on macrophage biology has not yet been studied. We show using immunophenotypic analyses that Cdh11-/- mice have fewer recruited monocyte-derived macrophages and Ly6Chi monocytes in the lungs compared to wild-type mice in the intraperitoneal bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model. Additionally, fewer Ly6Chi monocytes were detected in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of naive Cdh11-/- mice. Given that macrophages are derived from monocytes, we investigated the precursors of the monocyte/macrophage lineage in the bone marrow. We found increased numbers of CMPs and reduced numbers of GMPs and MPs/cMoPs in Cdh11-/- mice compared to wild-type mice, suggesting decreased differentiation towards the myeloid lineage in Cdh11-/- mice. Furthermore, we show using bone marrow cells that loss of CDH11 impaired monocyte to macrophage differentiation. We also demonstrate that CDH11 deficiency repressed the M2 program and impaired the phagocytic function of bone marrow-derived macrophages. Overall, our findings demonstrate a role for CDH11 in macrophage development, M2 polarization, and phagocytic function.

STAT3 Signaling in Breast Cancer: Multicellular Actions and Therapeutic Potential.

Interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-11, are defined by the shared use of the gp130 receptor for the downstream activation of STAT3 signaling and the activation of genes which contribute to the "hallmarks of cancer", including proliferation, survival, invasion and metastasis. Increased expression of these cytokines, or the ligand-specific receptors IL-6R and IL-11RA, in breast tumors positively correlate to disease progression and poorer patient outcome. In this review, we examine evidence from pre-clinical studies that correlate enhanced IL-6 and IL-11 mediated gp130/STAT3 signaling to the progression of breast cancer. Key processes by which the IL-6 family cytokines contribute to the heterogeneous nature of breast cancer, immune evasion and metastatic potential, are discussed. We examine the latest research into the therapeutic targeting of IL-6 family cytokines that inhibit STAT3 transcriptional activity as a potential breast cancer treatment, including current clinical trials. The importance of the IL-6 family of cytokines in cellular processes that promote the development and progression of breast cancer warrants further understanding of the molecular basis for its actions to help guide the development of future therapeutic targets.

Whole blood GRHL2 expression as a prognostic biomarker in metastatic hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: As potent systemic therapies transition earlier in the prostate cancer disease course, molecular biomarkers are needed to guide optimal treatment selection for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). The value of whole blood RNA to detect candidate biomarkers in mHSPC remains largely undefined. METHODS: In this cohort study, we used a previously optimised whole blood reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay to assess the prognostic utility [measured by seven-month undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and time to castration-resistance (TTCR)] of eight prostate cancer-associated gene transcripts in 43 mHSPC patients. Transcripts with statistically significant associations (P<0.05) were further investigated in a metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) cohort (n=119) receiving contemporary systemic therapy, exploring associations with PSA >50% response (PSA50), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Clinical outcomes were prospectively collected in a protected digital database. Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models assessed associations between gene transcripts and clinical outcomes (mHSPC covariates: disease volume, docetaxel use and haemoglobin level; mCRPC covariates: prior exposure to chemotherapy or ARPIs, haemoglobin, performance status and presence of visceral disease). Follow-up was performed monthly during ARPI treatment, three-weekly during taxane chemotherapy, and three-monthly during androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) monotherapy. Serial PSA measurements were performed before each follow-up visit and repeat imaging was at the discretion of the investigator. RESULTS: Detection of circulating Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) transcript was associated with poor outcomes in mHSPC and mCRPC patients. Detectable GRHL2 expression in mHSPC was associated with a lower rate of seven-month undetectable PSA levels (25% vs. 65%, P=0.059), and independently associated with shorter TTCR (HR 7.3, 95% CI: 1.5-36, P=0.01). In the mCRPC cohort, GRHL2 expression predicted significantly lower PSA50 response rates (46% vs. 69%, P=0.01), and was independently associated with shorter PFS (HR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.8-5.2, P<0.001) and OS (HR 2.9, 95% CI: 1.6-5.1, P<0.001). Associations were most apparent in patients receiving ARPIs. CONCLUSIONS: Detectable circulating GRHL2 was a negative prognostic biomarker in our mHSPC and mCRPC cohorts. These data support further investigation of GRHL2 as a candidate prognostic biomarker in metastatic prostate cancer, in addition to expanding efforts to better understand a putative role in therapeutic resistance to AR targeted therapies.

Therapeutic Targeting of the Tumour Microenvironment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Liver metastasis is the primary contributor to the death of patients with colorectal cancer. Despite the overall success of current treatments including targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy combinations in colorectal cancer patients, the prognosis of patients with liver metastasis remains poor. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the tumour microenvironment and the crosstalk within that determines the fate of circulating tumour cells in distant organs. Understanding the interactions between liver resident cells and tumour cells colonising the liver opens new therapeutic windows for the successful treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Here we discuss critical cellular interactions within the tumour microenvironment in primary tumours and in liver metastases that highlight potential therapeutic targets. We also discuss recent therapeutic advances for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Prognostic Utility of a Whole-blood Androgen Receptor-based Gene Signature in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The treatment paradigm for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has evolved significantly in recent years. Identifying predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers in the context of this rapidly expanding therapeutic armamentarium remains a pressing and unmet clinical need. OBJECTIVE: To develop a prognostic whole-blood gene signature for mCRPC patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: As part of an ongoing prospective, multicentre biomarker research study (Australian Prostate Biomarker Alliance), we enrolled 115 mCRPC patients commencing chemotherapy (n = 34) or androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors therapy (n = 81) and obtained pretreatment whole-blood samples in PAXgene RNA tubes. Gene expression was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Gene transcripts correlating with overall survival (OS) at p < 0.10 in univariate Cox regression models were incorporated into a multigene signature. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and multivariate analyses were used to assess association with clinical outcomes. Prognostic strength of the signature was estimated using a concordance probability estimate (CPE). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Based on univariate analysis for OS, the following genes were incorporated into a multigene signature: AR splice variant 7 (AR-V7), and three androgen-regulated genes: GRHL2, HOXB13, and FOXA1. The number of positive transcripts clearly stratified survival outcomes (median OS: not reached vs 24.8 mo vs 16.2 mo for 0, 1, and ≥2 transcripts, respectively; p = 0.0052). Notably, this multigene signature retained prognostic significance on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.0; p = 0.019). Moreover, CPE for this model was 0.78, indicating strong discriminative capacity. Limitations include short follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the prognostic utility of a novel whole-blood AR-based signature in mCRPC patients commencing contemporary systemic therapies. Our pragmatic assay requires minimal processing, can be performed in most hospital laboratories, and could represent a key prognostic tool for risk stratification in mCRPC. PATIENT SUMMARY: We found that expression of certain genes associated with the androgen receptor could help determine how long men with advanced prostate cancer survive after starting modern drug therapies.

Macrophages and cadherins in fibrosis and systemic sclerosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Macrophages are key players in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and fibrosis. The mechanism by which macrophages regulate fibrogenesis is unclear and understanding the origin and function of macrophages is critical to developing effective therapeutics. Novel targets on macrophages are under investigation and recently, cadherins have emerged as a potential therapeutic target on macrophages. The current review will discuss the importance of macrophages in SSc and fibrosis and summarize recent studies on the role of cadherin-11 (Cdh11) on macrophages and fibrosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Genome-wide expression studies demonstrate the importance of macrophages in SSc and fibrosis. Although M2 macrophages are associated with fibrosis, the presence of a mixed M1/M2 phenotype in fibrosis has recently been reported. Several studies aiming to identify macrophage subsets involved in fibrogenesis suggest that monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages are key players in the development of murine lung fibrosis. Recent functional studies show that Cdh11 regulates macrophages, fibroblast invasion, and adhesion of macrophages to myofibroblasts. SUMMARY: Macrophages play an important role in SSc and fibrosis. New insights into the mechanisms by which macrophages regulate fibrogenesis have been discovered on the basis of Cdh11 studies and suggest that targeting Cdh11 may be an effective target to treat fibrosis.

Expression of Androgen Receptor Splice Variant 7 or 9 in Whole Blood Does Not Predict Response to Androgen-Axis-targeting Agents in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

In 2014, a landmark study was published demonstrating that the expression of androgen receptor splice variant (AR-V) 7 was a negative predictive biomarker for response to abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. However, these results were not supported by the recently reported ARMOR3-SV phase III clinical trial, which employed an identical circulating tumour cell assay to assess AR-V7 expression. Therefore, the predictive utility of AR-V7 expression in mCRPC remains uncertain, as does any potential association between other AR-Vs and treatment response. To further investigate, we designed a highly sensitive and specific whole blood assay for detecting AR-V7 and AR-V9. We then examined for a correlation between baseline AR-V7/V9 status and treatment outcome in 37 mCRPC patients commencing abiraterone or enzalutamide. Of the patients, 24% (9/37) were AR-V-positive. Notably, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rates did not significantly differ between AR-V-positive (6/9) and AR-V-negative (18/28) patients (66% vs 64%, p=0.9). Likewise, median PSA progression-free survival was not significantly different between AR-V-positive and AR-V-negative patients (9.2 mo vs not reached; p=0.9). These data, which support the findings of the pivotal ARMOR3-SV clinical trial, suggest that baseline AR-V expression does not predict outcomes in mCRPC patients receiving abiraterone or enzalutamide. PATIENT SUMMARY: Detection of androgen receptor splice variants (AR-Vs) in circulating tumour cells of advanced prostate cancer patients has been linked to resistance to abiraterone and enzalutamide. We designed a blood test to detect AR-Vs that can be performed more routinely than tests involving circulating tumour cells and found that patients with AR-Vs still benefit from these effective treatments.

Role of STAT3 in skin fibrosis and transforming growth factor beta signalling.

Objective: SSc is an autoimmune disease characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. IL-6 and related cytokines that signal through STAT3 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc and mouse models of fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of inhibiting STAT3 in the development of fibrosis in two mouse models of skin fibrosis. Methods: Biopsy samples of skin from SSc patients and healthy control subjects were used to determine the expression pattern of phosphotyrosyl (pY705)-STAT3. C188-9, a small molecule inhibitor of STAT3, was used to treat fibrosis in the bleomycin-induced fibrosis model and Tsk-1 mice. In vitro studies were performed to determine the extent to which STAT3 regulates the fibrotic phenotype of dermal fibroblasts. Results: Increased STAT3 and pY705-STAT3 was observed in SSc skin biopsies and in both mouse models of SSc. STAT3 inhibition with C188-9 resulted in attenuated skin fibrosis, myofibroblast accumulation, pro-fibrotic gene expression and collagen deposition in both mouse models of skin fibrosis. C188-9 decreased in vitro dermal fibroblast production of fibrotic genes induced by IL-6 trans-signalling and TGF-ß. Finally, TGF-ß induced phosphotyrosylation of STAT3 in a SMAD3-dependent manner. Conclusion: STAT3 inhibition decreases dermal fibrosis in two models of SSc. STAT3 regulates dermal fibroblasts function in vitro and can be activated by TGF-ß. These data suggest that STAT3 is a potential therapeutic target for dermal fibrosis in diseases such as SSc.

Bisphenol A and its analogues disrupt centrosome cycle and microtubule dynamics in prostate cancer.

Humans are increasingly exposed to structural analogues of bisphenol A (BPA), as BPA is being replaced by these compounds in BPA-free consumer products. We have previously shown that chronic and developmental exposure to BPA is associated with increased prostate cancer (PCa) risk in human and animal models. Here, we examine whether exposure of PCa cells (LNCaP, C4-2) to low-dose BPA and its structural analogues (BPS, BPF, BPAF, TBBPA, DMBPA and TMBPA) affects centrosome amplification (CA), a hallmark of cancer initiation and progression. We found that exposure to BPA, BPS, DMBPA and TBBPA, in descending order, increased the number of cells with CA, in a non-monotonic dose-response manner. Furthermore, cells treated with BPA and their analogues initiated centrosome duplication at 8 h after release from serum starvation, significantly earlier in G-1 phase than control cells. This response was attended by earlier release of nucleophosmin from unduplicated centrosomes. BPA-exposed cells exhibited increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase CDK6 and decreased expression of CDK inhibitors (p21Waf1/CIP1 and p27KIP1). Using specific antagonists for estrogen/androgen receptors, CA in the presence of BPA or its analogues was likely to be mediated via ESR1 signaling. Change in microtubule dynamics was observed on exposure to these analogues, which, for BPA, was accompanied by increased expression of centrosome-associated protein CEP350 Similar to BPA, chronic treatment of cells with DMBPA, but not other analogues, resulted in the enhancement of anchorage-independent growth. We thus conclude that selected BPA analogues, similar to BPA, disrupt centrosome function and microtubule organization, with DMBPA displaying the broadest spectrum of cancer-promoting effects.

STAT-3 contributes to pulmonary fibrosis through epithelial injury and fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation.

Lung fibrosis is the hallmark of the interstitial lung diseases. Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) injury is a key step that contributes to a profibrotic microenvironment. Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts subsequently accumulate and deposit excessive extracellular matrix. In addition to TGF-ß, the IL-6 family of cytokines, which signal through STAT-3, may also contribute to lung fibrosis. In the current manuscript, the extent to which STAT-3 inhibition decreases lung fibrosis is investigated. Phosphorylated STAT-3 was elevated in lung biopsies from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and bleomycin (BLM)-induced fibrotic murine lungs. C-188-9, a small molecule STAT-3 inhibitor, decreased pulmonary fibrosis in the intraperitoneal BLM model as assessed by arterial oxygen saturation (control, 84.4 ± 1.3%; C-188-9, 94.4 ± 0.8%), histology (Ashcroft score: untreated, 5.4 ± 0.25; C-188-9, 3.3 ± 0.14), and attenuated fibrotic markers such as diminished α-smooth muscle actin, reduced collagen deposition. In addition, C-188-9 decreased the expression of epithelial injury markers, including hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). In vitro studies show that inhibition of STAT-3 decreased IL-6- and TGF-ß-induced expression of multiple genes, including HIF-1α and PAI-1, in AECs. Furthermore, C-188-9 decreased fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. Finally, TGF-ß stimulation of lung fibroblasts resulted in SMAD2/SMAD3-dependent phosphorylation of STAT-3. These findings demonstrate that STAT-3 contributes to the development of lung fibrosis and suggest that STAT-3 may be a therapeutic target in pulmonary fibrosis.

Transcriptional control of local estrogen formation by aromatase in the breast.

Aromatase is the critical enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens. It is frequently highly expressed in the tumour bearing breast of women diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive tumours, resulting in dramatically increased local estrogen production to drive tumour progression. Expression of aromatase is regulated primarily at the transcriptional level of its encoding gene CYP19A1, located on chromosome 15 of the human genome. A characteristic feature of CYP19A1 expression is its use of alternative promoters to regulate transcription in a tissue-specific manner. In breast cancer, the increase in aromatase expression is mediated via higher expression of the distal adipose-specific promoter I.4 and a switch to the preferential use of proximal promoters I.3 and II. This results in a net increase of CYP19A1 transcripts in tumour-bearing breast up to 3-4-fold higher than normal breast. Current aromatase inhibitors - whilst efficacious - exhibit significant side effects that reduce patient compliance. Understanding the transcription factors and signalling pathways that control aromatase expression will lead to opportunities to develop breast-specific inhibitors with an improved side-effects profile. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Essential role of DHEA'.

Estradiol regulates Tumor Necrosis Factor-α expression and secretion in Estrogen Receptor positive breast cancer cells.

The cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor-α is critical to Estrogen Receptor positive breast cancer pathology, stimulating estrogen-biosynthesis pathways and preventing the differentiation of estrogen-producing fibroblasts. High concentrations of TNFα are detected in the tumor microenvironment, and infiltrating immune cells are thought to be a major source. This study identifies that TNFα is also a tumor-derived factor, expressed in ER+ tumour epithelial cells and regulated by 17-ß-estradiol (E2). Treatment of MCF-7, T47D and ZR-75 breast cancer cells with E2 increased TNFα mRNA and protein expression and secretion. This effect was mitigated with the use of ERα inhibitors 4-hydroy-tamoxifen and ICI-182780, indicating that E2-mediated TNFα induction was via the actions of ERα. Chromatin immunoprecipitation reveals ERα binding to the TNFα promoter upon stimulation with E2. This study demonstrates for the first time a positive feedback loop between estradiol and TNFα, critical in maintaining high levels of the hormone within the ER+ breast tumour microenvironment.

Endocrine disruption of the epigenome: a breast cancer link.

The heritable component of breast cancer accounts for only a small proportion of total incidences. Environmental and lifestyle factors are therefore considered to among the major influencing components increasing breast cancer risk. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous in the environment. The estrogenic property of EDCs has thus shown many associations between ongoing exposures and the development of endocrine-related diseases, including breast cancer. The environment consists of a heterogenous population of EDCs and despite many identified modes of action, including that of altering the epigenome, drawing definitive correlations regarding breast cancer has been a point of much discussion. In this review, we describe in detail well-characterized EDCs and their actions in the environment, their ability to disrupt mammary gland formation in animal and human experimental models and their associations with exposure and breast cancer risk. We also highlight the susceptibility of early-life exposure to each EDC to mediate epigenetic alterations, and where possible describe how these epigenome changes influence breast cancer risk.

Hepatic glucose intolerance precedes hepatic steatosis in the male aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse.

Estrogens are known to play a role in modulating metabolic processes within the body. The Aromatase knockout (ArKO) mice have been shown to harbor factors of Metabolic syndrome with central adiposity, hyperinsulinemia and male-specific hepatic steatosis. To determine the effects of estrogen ablation and subsequent replacement in males on whole body glucose metabolism, three- and six-month-old male ArKO mice were subjected to whole body glucose, insulin and pyruvate tolerance tests and analyzed for ensuing metabolic changes in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. Estrogen-deficient male ArKO mice showed increased gonadal adiposity which was significantly reduced upon 17ß-estradiol (E2) treatment. Concurrently, elevated ArKO serum leptin levels were significantly reduced upon E2 treatment and lowered serum adiponectin levels were restored to wild type levels. Three-month-old male ArKO mice were hyperglycemic, and both glucose and pyruvate intolerant. These phenotypes continued through to 6 months of age, highlighting a loss of glycemic control. ArKO livers displayed changes in gluconeogenic enzyme expression, and in insulin signaling pathways upon E2 treatment. Liver triglycerides were increased in the ArKO males only after 6 months of age, which could be reversed by E2 treatment. No differences were observed in insulin-stimulated ex vivo muscle glucose uptake nor changes in ArKO adipose tissue and muscle insulin signaling pathways. Therefore, we conclude that male ArKO mice develop hepatic glucose intolerance by the age of 3 months which precedes the sex-specific development of hepatic steatosis. This can be reversed upon the administration of exogenous E2.