Sex steroid hormone metabolism takes place in human ocular cells.
Steroids are potentially important mediators in the pathophysiology of ocular diseases. In this study, we report on the gene expression in the human eye of a group of enzymes, the 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17HSDs), involved in the biosynthesis and inactivation of sex steroid hormones. In the eye, the ciliary epithelium, a neuroendocrine secretory epithelium, co-expresses the highest levels of 17HSD2 and 5 mRNAs, and in lesser level 17HSD7 mRNA. The regulation of gene expression of these enzymes was investigated in vitro in cell lines, ODM-C4 and chronic open glaucoma (GCE), used as cell models of the human ciliary epithelium. The estrogen, 17beta-estradiol (10(-7) M) and androgen agonist, R1881 (10(-8) M) elicited in ODM-C4 and GCE cells over a 24 h time course a robust up-regulation of 17HSD7 mRNA expression. 17HSD2 was up-regulated by estradiol in ODM-C4 cells, but not in GCE cells. Under steady-state conditions, ODM-C4 cells exhibited a predominant 17HSD2 oxidative enzymatic activity. In contrast, 17HSD2 activity was low or absent in GCE cells. Our collective data suggest that cultured human ciliary epithelial cells are able to metabolize estrogen, androgen and progesterone, and that 17HSD2 and 7 in these cells are sex steroid hormone-responsive genes and 17HSD7 is responsible to keep on intra/paracrine estrogenic milieu.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, 330 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. miguel.coca-prados@yale.edu
Miguel
M
Coca-Prados
Sikha
S
Ghosh
Yugang
Y
Wang
Julio
J
Escribano
Annakaisa
A
Herrala
Pirkko
P
Vihko
D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002923:Cilia; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005123:Eye / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C044256:3 (or 17)-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase