| 1. |
- Ohlsson, Claes, 1965, et al.
(author)
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The effects of estradiol are modulated in a tissue-specific manner in mice with inducible inactivation of ERα after sexual maturation.
- 2020
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In: American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism. - : American Physiological Society. - 1522-1555 .- 0193-1849. ; 318:5, s. 646-654
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mouse models with lifelong inactivation of estrogen receptor α (ERα) show that ERα is the main mediator of estrogenic effects in bone, thymus, uterus, and fat. However, ERα inactivation early in life may cause developmental effects that confound the adult phenotypes. To address the specific role of adult ERα expression for estrogenic effects in bone and other non-skeletal tissues, we established a tamoxifen-inducible ERα-inactivated model by crossing CAG-Cre-ER and ERαflox/flox mice. Tamoxifen-induced ERα-inactivation after sexual maturation substantially reduced ERα mRNA levels in cortical bone, trabecular bone, thymus, uterus, gonadal fat, and hypothalamus, in CAG-Cre-ERαflox/flox (inducible ERαKO) compared to ERαflox/flox (control) mice. 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment increased trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), cortical bone area and uterine weight, while it reduced thymus weight and fat mass in ovariectomized control mice. The estrogenic responses were substantially reduced in inducible ERαKO mice compared to control mice on BV/TV (-67%), uterine weight (-94%), thymus weight (-70%), and gonadal fat mass (-94%). In contrast, the estrogenic response on cortical bone area was unaffected in inducible ERαKO compared to control mice. In conclusion, using an inducible ERαKO model, not confounded by lack of ERa during development, we demonstrate that ERα expression in sexually mature female mice is required for normal E2 responses in most, but not all tissues. The finding that cortical, but not trabecular bone, responds normally to E2 treatment in inducible ERαKO mice strengthens the idea of cortical and trabecular bone being regulated by estrogen via different mechanisms.
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| 2. |
- Scheffler, Julia M., et al.
(author)
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ER alpha Signaling in a Subset of CXCL12-Abundant Reticular Cells Regulates Trabecular Bone in Mice
- 2022
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In: JBMR Plus. - : Wiley. - 2473-4039. ; 6:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Estrogen has pronounced effects on the immune system, which also influences bone homeostasis. In recent years, stromal cells in lymphoid organs have gained increasing attention as they not only support the regulation of immune responses but also affect bone remodeling. A conditional knockout mouse model where estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) is deleted in CCL19-expressing stromal cells (Ccl19-Cre ER alpha(fl/fl) mice) was generated and bone densitometry was performed to analyze the importance of stromal cell-specific ER alpha signaling on the skeleton. Results showed that female Ccl19-Cre ER alpha(fl/fl) mice display reduced total bone mineral density and detailed X-ray analyses revealed that ER alpha expression in CCL19-expressing stromal cells is important for trabecular but not cortical bone homeostasis. Further analysis showed that the trabecular bone loss is caused by increased osteoclastogenesis. Additionally, the bone formation rate was reduced; however, the expression of osteoprogenitor genes was not altered. Analysis of the bone marrow stromal cell compartment revealed a deletion of ER alpha in a subgroup of CXCL12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells resulting in increased secretion of the pro-osteoclastogenic chemokine CXCL12. In conclusion, this study reveals the importance of ER alpha signaling in CAR cells for bone health. (c) 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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| 3. |
- Antonson, P., et al.
(author)
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Generation of an all-exon Esr2 deleted mouse line: Effects on fertility
- 2020
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In: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-291X .- 1090-2104. ; 529:2, s. 231-237
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Estrogen receptor beta (ER beta), encoded by the Esr2 gene, is one of two nuclear receptors that mediate the functions of the steroid hormone estradiol. The binding of estradiol to the receptor results in enhanced transcription of many genes that have estrogen response elements in promoter or enhancer regions. Several genetically modified mouse lines with mutations or deletions of exons in the Esr2 gene have been developed and results from analysis of these are not completely consistent, especially regarding ER beta's role in fertility. To address these controversies, we have used the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system to make a deletion of the entire Esr2 gene in the mouse genome and determined the effect of this mutation on fertility. We show that female Esr2 deleted mice, Esr2(Delta E1-10), are subfertile at young age, with fewer litters and smaller litter size, and that they become infertile/have severely reduced fertility at around six months of age, while the male Esr2(Delta E1-10) mice are fertile. Ovaries from Esr2(Delta E1-10) mice are smaller than those from wild-type littermates and the morphology of the ovary displays very few corpora lutea, indicating a defect in ovulation. We also show that the estradiol levels are reduced at diestrus, the phase in the estrous cycle when levels are expected to start to increase before ovulation. Our results verify that ER beta has an important function in female reproduction, likely as a regulator of serum estradiol levels, and that its loss does not affect male reproductive function. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.
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| 4. |
- Basu, Swaraj, et al.
(author)
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Accurate mapping of mitochondrial DNA deletions and duplications using deep sequencing
- 2020
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In: PLoS Genetics. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1553-7404. ; 16:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Deletions and duplications in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cause mitochondrial disease and accumulate in conditions such as cancer and age-related disorders, but validated high-throughput methodology that can readily detect and discriminate between these two types of events is lacking. Here we establish a computational method, MitoSAlt, for accurate identification, quantification and visualization of mtDNA deletions and duplications from genomic sequencing data. Our method was tested on simulated sequencing reads and human patient samples with single deletions and duplications to verify its accuracy. Application to mouse models of mtDNA maintenance disease demonstrated the ability to detect deletions and duplications even at low levels of heteroplasmy. Author summary Deletions in the mitochondrial genome cause a wide variety of rare disorders, but are also linked to more common conditions such as neurodegeneration, diabetes type 2, and the normal ageing process. There is also a growing awareness that mtDNA duplications, which are also relevant for human disease, may be more common than previously thought. Despite their clinical importance, our current knowledge about the abundance, characteristics and diversity of mtDNA deletions and duplications is fragmented, and based to large extent on a limited view provided by traditional low-throughput analyses. Here, we describe a bioinformatics method, MitoSAlt, that can accurately map and classify mtDNA deletions and duplications using high-throughput sequencing. Application of this methodology to mouse models of mitochondrial deficiencies revealed a large number of duplications, suggesting that these may previously have been underestimated.
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| 5. |
- Bonekamp, N. A., et al.
(author)
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Small-molecule inhibitors of human mitochondrial DNA transcription
- 2020
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 588, s. 712-716
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Altered expression of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) occurs in ageing and a range of human pathologies (for example, inborn errors of metabolism, neurodegeneration and cancer). Here we describe first-in-class specific inhibitors of mitochondrial transcription (IMTs) that target the human mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLRMT), which is essential for biogenesis of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system(1-6). The IMTs efficiently impair mtDNA transcription in a reconstituted recombinant system and cause a dose-dependent inhibition of mtDNA expression and OXPHOS in cell lines. To verify the cellular target, we performed exome sequencing of mutagenized cells and identified a cluster of amino acid substitutions in POLRMT that cause resistance to IMTs. We obtained a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of POLRMT bound to an IMT, which further defined the allosteric binding site near the active centre cleft of POLRMT. The growth of cancer cells and the persistence of therapy-resistant cancer stem cells has previously been reported to depend on OXPHOS7-17, and we therefore investigated whether IMTs have anti-tumour effects. Four weeks of oral treatment with an IMT is well-tolerated in mice and does not cause OXPHOS dysfunction or toxicity in normal tissues, despite inducing a strong anti-tumour response in xenografts of human cancer cells. In summary, IMTs provide a potent and specific chemical biology tool to study the role of mtDNA expression in physiology and disease. Inhibitors of mitochondrial transcription that target human mitochondrial RNA polymerase provide a chemical biology tool for studying the role of mitochondrial DNA expression in a wide range of pathologies.
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| 6. |
- Colldén, Hannah, et al.
(author)
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Comprehensive Sex Steroid Profiling in Multiple Tissues Reveals Novel Insights in Sex Steroid Distribution in Male Mice
- 2022
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In: Endocrinology. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0013-7227 .- 1945-7170. ; 163:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A comprehensive atlas of sex steroid distribution in multiple tissues is currently lacking, and how circulating and tissue sex steroid levels correlate remains unknown. Here, we adapted and validated a gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous measurement of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, progesterone (Prog), estradiol, and estrone in mouse tissues. We then mapped the sex steroid pattern in 10 different endocrine, reproductive, and major body compartment tissues and serum of gonadal intact and orchiectomized (ORX) male mice. In gonadal intact males, high levels of DHT were observed in reproductive tissues, but also in white adipose tissue (WAT). A major part of the total body reservoir of androgens (T and DHT) and Prog was found in WAT. Serum levels of androgens and Prog were strongly correlated with corresponding levels in the brain while only modestly correlated with corresponding levels in WAT. After orchiectomy, the levels of the active androgens T and DHT decreased markedly while Prog levels in male reproductive tissues increased slightly. In ORX mice, Prog was by far the most abundant sex steroid, and, again, WAT constituted the major reservoir of Prog in the body. In conclusion, we present a comprehensive atlas of tissue and serum concentrations of sex hormones in male mice, revealing novel insights in sex steroid distribution. Brain sex steroid levels are well reflected by serum levels and WAT constitutes a large reservoir of sex steroids in male mice. In addition, Prog is the most abundant sex hormone in ORX mice.
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| 7. |
- Corciulo, Carmen, et al.
(author)
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Pulsed administration for physiological estrogen replacement in mice
- 2021
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In: F1000Research. - : F1000 Research Ltd. - 2046-1402 .- 1759-796X. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Estrogens are important regulators of body physiology and have major effects on metabolism, bone, the immune- and central nervous systems. The specific mechanisms underlying the effects of estrogens on various cells, tissues and organs are unclear and mouse models constitute a powerful experimental tool to define the physiological and pathological properties of estrogens. Menopause can be mimicked in animal models by surgical removal of the ovaries and replacement therapy with 17β-estradiol in ovariectomized (OVX) mice is a common technique used to determine specific effects of the hormone. However, these studies are complicated by the non-monotonic dose-response of estradiol, when given as therapy. Increased knowledge of how to distribute estradiol in terms of solvent, dose, and administration frequency, is required in order to accurately mimic physiological conditions in studies where estradiol treatment is performed. In this study, mice were OVX and treated with physiological doses of 17β-estradiol-3-benzoate (E2) dissolved in miglyol or PBS. Subcutaneous injections were performed every 4 days to resemble the estrus cycle in mice. Results show that OVX induces an osteoporotic phenotype, fat accumulation and impairment of the locomotor ability, as expected. Pulsed administration of physiological doses of E2 dissolved in miglyol rescues the phenotypes induced by OVX. However, when E2 is dissolved in PBS the effects are less pronounced, possibly due to rapid wash out of the steroid.
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| 8. |
- Cossío, Fernando, et al.
(author)
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VAI-B: a multicenter platform for the external validation of artificial intelligence algorithms in breast imaging
- 2023
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In: Journal of Medical Imaging. - : SPIE-SOC PHOTO-OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERS. - 2329-4302 .- 2329-4310. ; 10:06
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Multiple vendors are currently offering artificial intelligence (AI) computer-aided systems for triage detection, diagnosis, and risk prediction of breast cancer based on screening mammography. There is an imminent need to establish validation platforms that enable fair and transparent testing of these systems against external data.Approach: We developed validation of artificial intelligence for breast imaging (VAI-B), a platform for independent validation of AI algorithms in breast imaging. The platform is a hybrid solution, with one part implemented in the cloud and another in an on-premises environment at Karolinska Institute. Cloud services provide the flexibility of scaling the computing power during inference time, while secure on-premises clinical data storage preserves their privacy. A MongoDB database and a python package were developed to store and manage the data on-premises. VAI-B requires four data components: radiological images, AI inferences, radiologist assessments, and cancer outcomes.Results: To pilot test VAI-B, we defined a case-control population based on 8080 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 36,339 healthy women based on the Swedish national quality registry for breast cancer. Images and radiological assessments from more than 100,000 mammography examinations were extracted from hospitals in three regions of Sweden. The images were processed by AI systems from three vendors in a virtual private cloud to produce abnormality scores related to signs of cancer in the images. A total of 105,706 examinations have been processed and stored in the database.Conclusions: We have created a platform that will allow downstream evaluation of AI systems for breast cancer detection, which enables faster development cycles for participating vendors and safer AI adoption for participating hospitals. The platform was designed to be scalable and ready to be expanded should a new vendor want to evaluate their system or should a new hospital wish to obtain an evaluation of different AI systems on their images.
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| 9. |
- Cossío, Fernando, et al.
(author)
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VAI-B: A multicenter platform for the external validation of artificial intelligence algorithms in breast imaging
- 2023
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In: Journal of Medical Imaging. - : SPIE-Intl Soc Optical Eng. - 2329-4302 .- 2329-4310. ; 10:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Multiple vendors are currently offering artificial intelligence (AI) computer-aided systems for triage detection, diagnosis, and risk prediction of breast cancer based on screening mammography. There is an imminent need to establish validation platforms that enable fair and transparent testing of these systems against external data. Approach: We developed validation of artificial intelligence for breast imaging (VAI-B), a platform for independent validation of AI algorithms in breast imaging. The platform is a hybrid solution, with one part implemented in the cloud and another in an on-premises environment at Karolinska Institute. Cloud services provide the flexibility of scaling the computing power during inference time, while secure on-premises clinical data storage preserves their privacy. A MongoDB database and a python package were developed to store and manage the data onpremises. VAI-B requires four data components: radiological images, AI inferences, radiologist assessments, and cancer outcomes. Results: To pilot test VAI-B, we defined a case-control population based on 8080 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 36,339 healthy women based on the Swedish national quality registry for breast cancer. Images and radiological assessments from more than 100,000 mammography examinations were extracted from hospitals in three regions of Sweden. The images were processed by AI systems from three vendors in a virtual private cloud to produce abnormality scores related to signs of cancer in the images. A total of 105,706 examinations have been processed and stored in the database. Conclusions: We have created a platform that will allow downstream evaluation of AI systems for breast cancer detection, which enables faster development cycles for participating vendors and safer AI adoption for participating hospitals. The platform was designed to be scalable and ready to be expanded should a new vendor want to evaluate their system or should a new hospital wish to obtain an evaluation of different AI systems on their images.
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| 10. |
- Di Bartolomeo, Francesca, 1986, et al.
(author)
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Absolute yeast mitochondrial proteome quantification reveals trade-off between biosynthesis and energy generation during diauxic shift
- 2020
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 117:13, s. 7524-7535
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae constitutes a popular eukaryal model for research on mitochondrial physiology. Being Crabtree-positive, this yeast has evolved the ability to ferment glucose to ethanol and respire ethanol once glucose is consumed. Its transition phase from fermentative to respiratory metabolism, known as the diauxic shift, is reflected by dramatic rearrangements of mitochondrial function and structure. To date, the metabolic adaptations that occur during the diauxic shift have not been fully characterized at the organelle level. In this study, the absolute proteome of mitochondria was quantified alongside precise parametrization of biophysical properties associated with the mitochondrial network using state-of-the-art optical-imaging techniques. This allowed the determination of absolute protein abundances at a subcellular level. By tracking the transformation of mitochondrial mass and volume, alongside changes in the absolute mitochondrial proteome allocation, we could quantify how mitochondria balance their dual role as a biosynthetic hub as well as a center for cellular respiration. Furthermore, our findings suggest that in the transition from a fermentative to a respiratory metabolism, the diauxic shift represents the stage where major structural and functional reorganizations in mitochondrial metabolism occur. This metabolic transition, initiated at the mitochondria level, is then extended to the rest of the yeast cell.
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