Effect of androgen on proliferation of estrogen-responsive transformed mouse Leydig cells in serum-free culture.
We examined the effects of steroid hormones on the proliferation of transformed mouse Leydig cells (B-1) in serum-free culture condition. Among hormones examined, androgen as well as estrogen enhanced the cell proliferation rate. Hormone binding studies revealed that B-1 cells contained both androgen and estrogen receptors. In addition, androgen-enhanced cell growth was inhibited by antiandrogen, but not by antiestrogen, while estrogen-stimulated cell growth was suppressed by antiestrogen. However, the simultaneous addition of androgen and estrogen did not show an additive effect. Dose-response study on androgen-dependent cell growth revealed that relatively high concentrations (10(-7)-10(-6) M) of dihydrotestosterone were required to obtain the maximum response. This was at least partly explained by the finding that B-1 cells could metabolize dihydrotestosterone into the less active steroids. Finally, B-1 cells were found to grow more rapidly in normal than in castrated male mice. These results clearly indicate that the proliferation of B-1 cells is stimulated by both androgen and estrogen, which utilize the different receptor systems.
Nishizawa
Y
Y
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka University Hospital, Japan.
Sato
B
B
Nishii
K
K
Kishimoto
S
S
Matsumoto
K
K
D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001790:Blood Physiological Phenomena; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007984:Leydig Cell Tumor / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000473:pathology*; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D000728:Androgens; D003470:Culture Media; D004967:Estrogens; D011944:Receptors, Androgen