Expression and Subcellular Localization of Estrogen Receptors alpha and beta in Human Fetal Brown Adipose Tissue
2014
Authors:
Veličković, KsenijaČvoro, Aleksandra
Srdić, Biljana
Stokić, Edita
Markelić, Milica
Golić, Igor
Otašević, Vesna
Stančić, Ana
Janković, Aleksandra
Vučetić, Milica
Buzadžić, Biljana J.
Korać, Bato
Korać, Aleksandra
Document Type:
Article (Published version)
,
© 2014 by The Endocrine Society
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
Context: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has the unique ability of generating
heat due to the expression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1).
A recent discovery regarding functional BAT in adult humans has
increased interest in the molecular pathways of BAT development and
functionality. An important role for estrogen in white adipose tissue
was shown, but the possible role of estrogen in human fetal BAT (fBAT)
is unclear.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether human
fBAT expresses estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) and ER beta. In
addition, we examined their localization as well as their correlation
with crucial proteins involved in BAT differentiation, proliferation,
mitochondriogenesis and thermogenesis including peroxisome
proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), proliferating cell
nuclear antigen (PCNA), PPAR gamma-coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha),
and UCP1.
Design: The fBAT was obtained from 4 human male fetuses aged 15, 17, 20,
and 23 weeks gestation. ER alpha and ER beta expression was assessed
using Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunocytochemistry.
Possible correlations with PPAR gamma, PCNA, PGC-1 alpha, and UCP1 were
examined by double immunofluorescence.
Results: Both ER alpha and ER beta were expressed in human fBAT, with ER
alpha being dominant. Unlike ER beta, which was present only in mature
brown adipocytes, we detected ER alpha in mature adipocytes,
preadipocytes, mesenchymal and endothelial cells. In addition, double
immunofluorescence supported the notion that differentiation in fBAT
probably involves ER alpha. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed
mitochondrial localization of both receptors.
Conclusion: The expression of both ER alpha and ER beta in human fBAT
suggests a role for estrogen in its development, primarily via ER alpha.
In addition, our results indicate that fBAT mitochondria could be
targeted by estrogens and pointed out the possible role of both ERs in
mitochondriogenesis.
Source:
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2014, 99, 1, 151-159Funding / projects:
- White or/and brown: importance of adipose tissue in overall redox dependent metabolic control in physiological adaptations and metabolic disorders (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173055)
- Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species functions in reproduction: possible pharmacological tools to treat human infertility (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173054)
DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-2017
ISSN: 1945-7197
PubMed: 24217905