ESPE Abstracts

Background: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays a key role in reproduction. The G-protein coupled FSH receptor (FSHR), is expressed primarily in gonads, and specifically binds FSH. FSHR is also expressed in vascular endothelium, osteoclasts, adipose tissue, monocytes and rodent pancreatic islets. Elevated FSH levels are associated with development of obesity, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. In a recent study, we showed that h...

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is autoimmune T cells mediated destruction of β-cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered a promising treatment for T1DM due to the strong immunosuppressive and regenerative capacity. However, the comprehensive mechanism is still unclear. Our previous study indicated that the transforming growth factor beta-induced gene (TGFBI) is highly expressed in human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs), which is also implicated...

Introduction: The thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) has a key role in the thyroid gland. It is involved in folliculogenesis, differentiation, organogenesis, and thyroid hormone synthesis and production. Its genetic defects can cause poor differentiation (thyroid dysgenesis) and/or thyroid malfunction (thyroid dyshormonogenesis, TD). Therefore, its phenotype spectrum is wide, ranging from severe congenital hypothyroidism (CH) to mild hyperthyrotropinemia. Some hetero...

Human sex development relies on differentiation of the gonads, in which Sertoli and granulosa cells play a key role for men and women respectively. Many variations of sex development (VSD) are due to alteration of these two cell types. The study of the mechanisms underlying these conditions is crucial for optimal clinical management of VSDs, as for more than 50% [1] of all VSD patients, the molecular cause of their condition remains unknown. The collection of primary cells is ...

Background: The process of sexual differentiation is critical for reproduction in nearly all metazoan. Defects in any of the genes involved in either testicular or ovarian development can result in disorders of sex development (DSD). CBX2/M33 is a chromatin modifier that plays an important role in sexual development and its disorders, highlighted by the fact that M33-deficient mice have male-to-female sex reversal and loss-of-function of CBX2 causes 46, XY DSD...

Introduction: Obesity increases the risk of various disorders including diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are single-stranded, non-coding oligonucleotides that regulate gene expression. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a regulatory enzyme in metabolic homeostasis, is regulated by miRNAs. The aim of this study was to evaluate miR-141 in obesity and whether this miRNA can regulate SIRT1 expression.Materia...

Background: Aromatase (CYP19A1) a member of cytochrome P450 protein family is a major steroid metabolizing enzyme which converts androgens to estrogens. Mutations in aromatase can lead to autosomal recessive aromatase deficiency. An R192H mutation in CYP19A1 described earlier caused severe phenotype of aromatase deficiency with regressive virilization of the 46,XX new-born, but without signs of androgen excess during pregnancy. Computational studies suggested that R192H disrup...

Introduction: Rare mutations of the ESR1gene, encoding the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), have been shown to cause estrogen resistance in humans. To date, there are no effective therapeutic options. We report the case of a new inactivating mutation of ERα and provide evidence for a partial restoration of biological effects of estrogen.Methods: We performed clinical and biological phenotyping of the index case and sequenced the ESR1...

Background: Growth Hormone Insensitivity (GHI) is usually caused by mutations in the Growth Hormone receptor (GHR). Patients present with short stature associated with high GH and low IGF-I levels and often have midfacial hypoplasia (typical Laron syndrome facial features). Our centre previously described the first GHR pseudoexon mutation (42700896A>G, c. 618+792A>G). The inclusion of this 108bp pseudoexon is predicted to lead to in-frame insertion of...

Introduction: Obesity is among the most prevalent health problems and is associated with increased risk of various metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Fatty acids comprise a major part of the lipids and have remarkable effect on cell biology. Trans fatty acids (tFAs) are generally a by-product of manufacturing of fats. However, naturally-produced tFAs that are found in milk and dairy products, are sugge...