Insidious adrenocortical insufficiency underlies neuroendocrine dysregulation in TIF-2 deficient mice.

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Date publication

janvier 2007

Auteurs

Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Pr CHAMBON Pierre


Tous les auteurs :
Patchev AV, Fischer D, Wolf SS, Herkenham M, Gotz F, Gehin M, Chambon P, Patchev VK, Almeida OF

Résumé

The transcription-intermediary-factor-2 (TIF-2) is a coactivator of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and its disruption would be expected to influence glucocorticoid-mediated control of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Here, we show that its targeted deletion in mice is associated with altered expression of several glucocorticoid-dependent components of HPA regulation (e.g., corticotropin-releasing hormone, vasopressin, ACTH, glucocorticoid receptors), suggestive of hyperactivity under basal conditions. At the same time, TIF-2(-/-) mice display significantly lower basal corticosterone levels and a sluggish and blunted initial secretory response to brief emotional and prolonged physical stress. Subsequent analysis revealed this discrepancy to result from pronounced aberrations in the structure and function of the adrenal gland, including the cytoarchitectural organization of the zona fasciculata and basal and stress-induced expression of key elements of steroid hormone synthesis, such as the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD). In addition, altered expression levels of two nuclear receptors, DAX-1 and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), in the adrenal cortex strengthen the view that TIF-2 deletion disrupts adrenocortical development and steroid biosynthesis. Thus, hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary unit is ascribed to insidious adrenal insufficiency and impaired glucocorticoid feedback.

Référence

FASEB J. 2007 Jan;21(1):231-8