title: Expression of nuclear receptors (AhR, PXR, CAR) and transcription factor (Nrf2) in human parotid gland.
abstract: Nuclear receptors and transcription factors coordinate expression of many genes, and regulation of their expression determines cellular response to various endo- and exogenous factors. There is paucity of data regarding expression of nuclear receptors and factors in salivary glands. In the present study, a focus was placed on human parotid gland expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3) and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Parotid salivary tissue was obtained from patients undergoing the gland dissection. Quantitative real-time PCR aimmunohistochemical staining were used for expression studies. The highest mRNA expression was documented for NFE2L2 coding for Nrf2. Lower expression was seen in the case of AHR gene coding for AhR. PXR was constitutively present at very low level and CAR expression was below the limit of quantification. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the parotid gland specimens revealed cytoplasmic Nrf2 expression in striated duct cells as well as within myoepithelial cells. Acinar cells were mostly negative for Nrf2. Expression of AhR was found within the cytoplasm in striated duct cells. Acinar and myoepithelial cells were negative for AhR. Having in mind their role in regulating function of many enzymes and transmembrane transporters, expression of these factors seem play a role in salivary gland physiology, pathology as well as drug transport and metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańcow Wlkp. 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland. agdro@pum.edu.pl
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Droździk
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Urasińska
authors.forename: Mateusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurzawski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D000090702:Constitutive Androstane Receptor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077297:Pregnane X Receptor; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D000090702:Constitutive Androstane Receptor; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D000077297:Pregnane X Receptor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; C111235:AHR protein, human; C495635:NFE2L2 protein, human; C000625852:NR1I2 protein, human; C000716327:NR1I3 protein, human