Expressions of ATF3 and CTGF and their regulation by estradiol in the prepuce of hypospadias patients.
- Author:
Juan ZHOU
1
;
Hao WANG
;
Yu-Bing PENG
;
Qi CHEN
;
Jun DA
;
Zhong WANG
;
Li-Min MA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Activating Transcription Factor 3; genetics; metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Child; Connective Tissue Growth Factor; genetics; metabolism; Estradiol; pharmacology; Estrogens; pharmacology; Fibroblasts; metabolism; Foreskin; metabolism; Humans; Hypospadias; genetics; metabolism; Male
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2009;15(12):1075-1080
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVEEstrogen is closely associated with hypospadias. The present study was to explore the molecular mechanism of hypospadias caused by estradiol.
METHODSFibroblasts obtained from the prepuce of hypospadiac and normal children were cultured in vitro and treated with 17-beta ethinyl estradiol (17-EE) at the concentrations of 1 micromol/L to 0.1 nmol/L for 2 hours, or at 0.1 micromol/L for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours. MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of 17-EE on the proliferation of the cells, and RT-PCR was employed to detect the expressions of the activating transcription factor-3 (ATF3) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the hypospadiac tissue. The results were compared with those obtained from the nonhypospadiac tissue.
RESULTSThe expressions of ATF3 and CTGF were significantly upregulated in the hypospadiac tissue as compared with the nonhypospadiac group. At the concentration of 1 micromol/L, 17-EE significantly inhibited the proliferation of the cells. ATF3 mRNA was elevated at 1-2 hours, while CTGF mRNA showed no significant changes in 24 hours.
CONCLUSIONATF3 and CTGF are two candidate genes involved in the etiology of hypospadias. And estradiol may induce hypospadias by upregulating the expressions of ATF3 and CTGF.
