BACKGROUND: Collagen biosynthesis and deposition is a complex, multistep process, which is tightly regulated to maintain proper tissue homeostasis. Sex steroid hormones have been implicated in regulating collagen synthesis; however the specific mechanisms regulating the process remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of estrogens and androgens in the regulation of genes involved in collagen synthesis and fibrillogenesis using gonadectomized C57/B6 mice. METHODS: Collagen content was assessed by hydroxyproline measurement and acetic acid extraction of collagen with or without the addition of pepsin. The mRNA levels of fibrillar collagens and enzymes involved in fibrillogenesis were determined by QPCR analysis. The protein expression of decorin, lumican and fibromodulin was confirmed by immunostaining. RESULTS: We have shown that castration resulted in a markedly decreased skin thickness and collagen content without affecting collagen solubility. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of fibrillar collagen genes including types I, III, and V were decreased, suggesting that androgens positively regulate the rate of collagen gene transcription. Conversely, ovariectomy mainly affected collagen solubility. The absence of estrogens resulted in decreased expression levels of several of the small leucine-rich repeat proteins and proteoglycans (SLRPs) including decorin, fibromodulin and lumican. CONCLUSIONS: Estrogens may not be directly involved in the regulation of collagen synthesis; however, they may play a critical role in regulating organization and stability of collagen fibrils. Androgens play a positive role in the regulation of collagen biosynthesis. In summary, our data demonstrate that androgens and estrogens regulate distinct aspects of collagen fibrillogenesis in mouse skin.
BACKGROUND: Collagen biosynthesis and deposition is a complex, multistep process, which is tightly regulated to maintain proper tissue homeostasis. Sex steroid hormones have been implicated in regulating collagen synthesis; however the specific mechanisms regulating the process remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of estrogens and androgens in the regulation of genes involved in collagen synthesis and fibrillogenesis using gonadectomized C57/B6 mice. METHODS: Collagen content was assessed by hydroxyproline measurement and acetic acid extraction of collagen with or without the addition of pepsin. The mRNA levels of fibrillar collagens and enzymes involved in fibrillogenesis were determined by QPCR analysis. The protein expression of decorin, lumican and fibromodulin was confirmed by immunostaining. RESULTS: We have shown that castration resulted in a markedly decreased skin thickness and collagen content without affecting collagen solubility. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of fibrillar collagen genes including types I, III, and V were decreased, suggesting that androgens positively regulate the rate of collagen gene transcription. Conversely, ovariectomy mainly affected collagen solubility. The absence of estrogens resulted in decreased expression levels of several of the small leucine-rich repeat proteins and proteoglycans (SLRPs) including decorin, fibromodulin and lumican. CONCLUSIONS: Estrogens may not be directly involved in the regulation of collagen synthesis; however, they may play a critical role in regulating organization and stability of collagen fibrils. Androgens play a positive role in the regulation of collagen biosynthesis. In summary, our data demonstrate that androgens and estrogens regulate distinct aspects of collagen fibrillogenesis in mouse skin.
Authors: K M Haapasaari; T Raudaskoski; M Kallioinen; E Suvanto-Luukkonen; A Kauppila; E Läärä; J Risteli; A Oikarinen Journal: Maturitas Date: 1997-06 Impact factor: 4.342
Authors: G S Ashcroft; J Dodsworth; E van Boxtel; R W Tarnuzzer; M A Horan; G S Schultz; M W Ferguson Journal: Nat Med Date: 1997-11 Impact factor: 53.440
Authors: Richard J Wenstrup; Jane B Florer; Eric W Brunskill; Sheila M Bell; Inna Chervoneva; David E Birk Journal: J Biol Chem Date: 2004-09-21 Impact factor: 5.157
Authors: Shujun Xin; Wenyan Man; Joachim W Fluhr; Shunpeng Song; Peter M Elias; Mao-Qiang Man Journal: Skin Res Technol Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 2.365
Authors: Kathleen A Connell; Marsha K Guess; Alison Tate; Vaagn Andikyan; Richard Bercik; Hugh S Taylor Journal: Menopause Date: 2009 May-Jun Impact factor: 2.953
Authors: Lisandra E de Castro Brás; Trevi A Ramirez; Kristine Y DeLeon-Pennell; Ying Ann Chiao; Yonggang Ma; Qiuxia Dai; Ganesh V Halade; Kevin Hakala; Susan T Weintraub; Merry L Lindsey Journal: J Proteomics Date: 2013-05-14 Impact factor: 4.044