Role of estrogen in regulation of cellular differentiation: A study using human placental and rat Leydig cells

Estrogen classically is recognized as a growth-promoting hormone. Recent evidence suggests that estrogens are also involved in a wide variety of cellular and physiological functions involving the central nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular system and bone homeostasis. Our studies in cytotr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular and cellular endocrinology 2006-02, Vol.246 (1), p.114-120
Main Authors: Yashwanth, R., Rama, S., Anbalagan, M., Rao, A. Jagannadha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Differentiation - physiology
Cell Line
Differentiation
Estrogen
Estrogens - physiology
Female
Humans
Leydig cells
Leydig Cells - cytology
Leydig Cells - physiology
Male
Placenta
Placenta - cytology
Placenta - physiology
Proliferation
Rats
Telomerase - drug effects
Telomerase - metabolism
Transforming Growth Factor beta - metabolism
Transforming Growth Factor beta - pharmacology
Trophoblasts - cytology
Trophoblasts - physiology
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Summary:Estrogen classically is recognized as a growth-promoting hormone. Recent evidence suggests that estrogens are also involved in a wide variety of cellular and physiological functions involving the central nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular system and bone homeostasis. Our studies in cytotrophoblasts and BeWo cells, demonstrated that 17β-estradiol induces terminal differentiation of placental trophoblasts directly and this differentiation is coupled with an increased production of TGFβ1, which, in turn, affects telomerase activity and telomerase associated components at the level of hTERT. Furthermore, using rats treated in vivo with either EDS or estradiol and in vitro Leydig cell cultures, we proposed that 17β-estradiol mediated down-regulation of collagen IV α4 expression could be one of the possible mechanisms for the inhibition of progenitor Leydig cell proliferation. In this review, we summarize the results from both the model systems, the human placental cytotrophoblast and rat Leydig cells to conclude that 17β-estradiol has a unique stage-specific role in differentiation.
ISSN:0303-7207
1872-8057
DOI:10.1016/j.mce.2005.11.007