Expression of Androgen and Estrogen Receptors in the Human Lacrimal Gland

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2023-03, Vol.24 (6), p.5609
• Main Authors: Hat, Koraljka, Planinić, Ana, Ježek, Davor, Kaštelan, Snježana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Androgen receptors; Androgens; Androgens - metabolism; Cornea; Disease; dry eye disease; Estrogen; Estrogen Receptor alpha - genetics; Estrogen Receptor alpha - metabolism; Estrogen Receptor beta - metabolism; Estrogen receptors; Estrogens; Exocrine glands; Eye diseases; Female; Females; Gender differences; Gene expression; Gonadal Steroid Hormones - metabolism; Hormone replacement therapy; Hormone therapy; Hormones; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inflammation; Lacrimal Apparatus - metabolism; Lacrimal gland; Pathophysiology; Phenols; Proteins; Receptors, Androgen - genetics; Receptors, Androgen - metabolism; Receptors, Estrogen - genetics; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; RNA; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Sex differences; sex steroid hormones; Sexes; Sexual dimorphism; Steroid hormone receptors; Steroid hormones; Steroids; Transcription factors; Womens health
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065609

Lacrimal gland dysfunction causes dry eye disease (DED) due to decreased tear production. Aqueous-deficient DED is more prevalent in women, suggesting that sexual dimorphism of the human lacrimal gland could be a potential cause. Sex steroid hormones are a key factor in the development of sexual dimorphism. This study aimed to quantify estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) expression in the human lacrimal gland and compare it between sexes. RNA was isolated from 35 human lacrimal gland tissue samples collected from 19 cornea donors. AR, ERα, and ERβ mRNA was identified in all samples, and their expression was quantified using qPCR. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on selected samples to evaluate protein expression of the receptors. ERα mRNA expression was significantly higher than the expression of AR and ERβ. No difference in sex steroid hormone (SSH) receptor mRNA expression was observed between sexes, and no correlation was observed with age. If ERα protein expression is found to be concordant with mRNA expression, it should be investigated further as a potential target for hormone therapy of DED. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of sex steroid hormone receptors in sex-related differences of lacrimal gland structure and disease.