Regulation of gene expression in ovarian cancer cells by luteinizing hormone receptor expression and activation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since a substantial percentage of ovarian cancers express gonadotropin receptors and are responsive to the relatively high concentrations of pituitary gonadotropins during the postmenopausal years, it has been suggested that receptor activation may contribute to the etiology and/or progression of the neoplasm. The goal of the present study was to develop a cell model to determine the impact of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor (LHR) expression and LH-mediated LHR activation on gene expression and thus obtain insights into the mechanism of gonadotropin action on ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) carcinoma cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The human ovarian cancer cell line, SKOV-3, was stably transfected to express functional LHR and incubated with LH for various periods of time (0-20 hours). Transcriptomic profiling was performed on these cells to identify LHR expression/activation-dependent changes in gene expression levels and pathways by microarray and qRT-PCR analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Through comparative analysis on the LHR-transfected SKOV-3 cells exposed to LH, we observed the differential expression of 1,783 genes in response to LH treatment, among which five significant families were enriched, including those of growth factors, translation regulators, transporters, G-protein coupled receptors, and ligand-dependent nuclear receptors. The most highly induced early and intermediate responses were found to occupy a network impacting transcriptional regulation, cell growth, apoptosis, and multiple signaling transductions, giving indications of LH-induced apoptosis and cell growth inhibition through the significant changes in, for example, tumor necrosis factor, Jun and many others, supportive of the observed cell growth reduction in <it>in vitro </it>assays. However, other observations, e.g. the substantial up-regulation of the genes encoding the endothelin-1 subtype A receptor, stromal cell-derived factor 1, and insulin-like growth factor II, all of which are potential therapeutic targets, may reflect a positive mediation of ovarian cancer growth.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, the present study elucidates the extensive transcriptomic changes of ovarian cancer cells in response to LH receptor activation, which provides a comprehensive and objective assessment for determining new cancer therapies and potential serum markers, of which over 100 are suggested.</p

Knowledge of organ and corneal transplants and attitudes toward organ and corneal donation among non-health students in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi-Ghana

Organ transplantation is a surgical procedure where a failing or damaged organ is removed and replaced with a new one from a donor. According to World Health Organization, the global prevalence of blindness in 2010 was 39 million people, among which 4% were due to corneal opacities. The main aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of organ and corneal transplant and attitude towards organ donation among non-health students at KNUST, Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among non-health students from the College of Engineering, College of Arts and Built Environment, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource in KNUST. Self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection where 250 participants were sampled using multistage and convenience sampling methods. Out of the study sample, 56.4% were males. The mean ± SD age of participants was 22.13± 2.983years. Digital media (76%) was the main source of information.&nbsp; Out of the respondents, 88.8% were aware of organ transplant whilst 17.2% were aware of corneal transplant. The organ transplant type mostly heard of by participants was kidney transplant (81.2%). Majority (54.8%) of the respondents were willing to donate their organs, out of which 67.6% were willing to donate after death whilst 32.4% were willing to donate whilst living. Love for humanity (34.0%) was the main reason for donating. Lack of information (47.6%) and complications after surgery (46.4%) constituted the main reason for unwillingness to donate. Digital media and healthcare professionals could be utilized to further the awareness of organ and corneal transplantation and donation. Educating and carrying out awareness programs and campaigns will help in clarifying misconceptions and myths and also increase the understanding of organ and corneal transplantations and donations. &nbsp