Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Benzophenone derivatives (BPs) are used as UV filters in many different products. These lipophilic compounds were recently described as ubiquitous contaminant of different compartiments of aquatic systems, including fish. In this study, we evaluated estrogenic activity of ten BPs in a model fish species, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), by combining newly developed in vitro and in vivo models. In vitro, three specific zebrafish reporter gene models expressing zebrafish estrogen receptors (ZfERs) in zebrafish hepatic cell line (ZFL) were used.Estrogenic activity of BPs was quantify in vivo by using a newly developed transgenic zebrafish line that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the cyp19a1b promoter. The cyp19a1b gene codes for the brain aromatase B that is under the control of estrogens. Vitellogenin (Vtg), a marker of estrogenic compound, was used to assess the potential estrogenic effect of certain BPs in male fish. Five of 10 BPs induced an estrogenic activity on the three models: BP2, THB, BP1, 4BP, while BP and 234 BP were non active. We noted diffrence in BPs ranking depending on the zfER subtypes suggesting ?/? receptor selectivity by certain BPs. By quantifying GFP expression in live zebrafish, we confirm the estrogenic activity of some BP, i.e., BP1, THB, 4BP and 44'BP, as shown by their ability to induce GFP in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the ranking of BPs as a function of their estrogenic activity assay is different between models. For instance, 4BP was the most estrogenic compound in vivo but not in vitro. Differences were also noticed regarding the estrogenic activity of BP2. In vitro, BP2 has strong activity but had no effect on GFP in cyp19a1b-GFP embryo. However, BP2 induced strongly Vtg in male. The lack of estrogenic activity of BP2 in embryo may be related to difference of biodisponibility and/or metabolisation of this compound between embryo and adult fish. Our approach allows to characterize the estrogenic potency of emerging pollutants, using innovative in vitro and in vivo assays within a unique model fish species. The differences observed between assays deserve further studies to characterize the behavior of compounds in the different biological models in term of biodisponibility and metabolism.
1. European Conference on the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of Animal Experiments in Ecotoxicology
Dübendorf, Switzerland

ineris-00971019
https://hal-ineris.archives-ouvertes.fr/ineris-00971019
INERIS : EN-2012-243

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Zebrafish, Danio rerio, is increasingly used as an animal model to study the effects of pharmaceuticals and environmental estrogens. As most of these estrogens have only been tested on human estrogen receptors (ERs), it is necessary to measure their effects on zebrafish ERs. In humans there are two distinct nuclear ERs (hERα and hERβ), whereas the zebrafish genome encodes three ERs, zfERα and two zfERβs (zfERβ1 and zfERβ2). In this study, we established HeLa-based reporter cell lines stably expressing each of the three zfERs. We first reported that estrogens more efficiently activate the zfERs at 28°C as compared to 37°C, thus reflecting the physiological temperature of zebrafish in wildlife. We then showed significant differences in the ability of agonist and antagonist estrogens to modulate activation of the three zfER isotypes in comparison to hERs. Environmental compounds (bisphenol A, alkylphenols, mycoestrogens) which are hER panagonists and hERβ selective agonists displayed greater potency for zfERα as compared to zfERβs. Among hERα selective synthetic agonists, PPT did not activate zfERα while 16α-LE2 was the most zfERα selective compound. Altogether, these results confirm that all hER ligands control in a similar manner the transcriptional activity of zfERs although significant differences in selectivity were observed among subtypes. The zfER subtype selective ligands that we identified thus represent new valuable tools to dissect the physiological roles of the different zfERs. Finally, our work also points out that care has to be taken in transposing the results obtained using the zebrafish as a model for human physiopathology.
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

hal-01063914
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01063914
DOI : 10.1016/j.taap.2014.07.020

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD MDPI
Résumé : International audience
In mammals, the effects of estrogen are mainly mediated by two different estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ. These proteins are members of the nuclear receptor family, characterized by distinct structural and functional domains, and participate in the regulation of different biological processes, including cell growth, survival and differentiation. The two estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes are generated from two distinct genes and have partially distinct expression patterns. Their activities are modulated differently by a range of natural and synthetic ligands. Some of these ligands show agonistic or antagonistic effects depending on ER subtype and are described as selective ER modulators (SERMs). Accordingly, a few phytochemicals, called phytoestrogens, which are synthesized from plants and vegetables, show low estrogenic activity or anti-estrogenic activity with potentially anti-proliferative effects that offer nutraceutical or pharmacological advantages. These compounds may be used as hormonal substitutes or as complements in breast cancer treatments. In this review, we discuss and summarize the in vitro and in vivo effects of certain phytoestrogens and their potential roles in the interaction with estrogen receptors.
ISSN: 1422-0067

hal-01560283
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01560283
PUBMED : 28657580
DOI : 10.3390/ijms18071381

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Xeno-estrogens, a class of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can disturb estrogen receptor-dependent pathways involved in differentiation, proliferation or protection. Multiple methods have been developed to characterize the disturbances induced by EDCs in different cells or organs. In this study we have developed a new tool for the assessment of estrogenic compounds on differentiation. For this purpose we used the global model of NGF-induced neurite outgrowth of a pseudoneuronal PC12 cell line stably transfected with estrogen receptor alpha (PC12 ER). This new test evidences a new selectivity in which estradiol, genistein and 4-hydroxytamoxifen increased the NGF-induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 ER cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the strong estrogen agonist 17α-ethynylestradiol, the strong antagonist raloxifene and the agonist bisphenol A were unable to modify the neuritogenesis of PC12 ER cells. Therefore, the analysis of neuritogenesis in PC12 ER cells constitutes a complementary tool for the characterization of xeno-estrogen activity and also serves as a basis for further studies focusing on the mechanisms of EDCs in a neuronal context. Moreover, this test constitutes an alternative to animal testing.
ISSN: 0045-6535

hal-01063907
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01063907
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01063907/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01063907/file/Differentiationsur PC12_cells_accepted.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.03.101

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
: Zebrafish, Danio rerio, is increasingly used as an animal model to study the effects of pharmaceuticals and environmental estrogens. As most of these estrogens have only been tested on human estrogen receptors (ERs), it is necessary to measure their effects on zebrafish ERs. In humans there are two distinct nuclear ERs (hERα and hERβ), whereas the zebrafish genome encodes three ERs, zfERα and two zfERβs (zfERβ1 and zfERβ2). In this study, we established HeLa-based reporter cell lines stably expressing each of the three zfERs. We first reported that estrogens more efficiently activate the zfERs at 28°C as compared to 37°C, thus reflecting the physiological temperature of zebrafish in wildlife. We then showed significant differences in the ability of agonist and antagonist estrogens to modulate activation of the three zfER isotypes in comparison to hERs. Environmental compounds (bisphenol A, alkylphenols, mycoestrogens) which are hER panagonists and hERβ selective agonists displayed greater potency for zfERα as compared to zfERβs. Among hERα selective synthetic agonists, PPT did not activate zfERα while 16α-LE2 was the most zfERα selective compound. Altogether, these results confirm that all hER ligands control in a similar manner the transcriptional activity of zfERs although significant differences in selectivity were observed among subtypes. The zfER subtype selective ligands that we identified thus represent new valuable tools to dissect the physiological roles of the different zfERs. Finally, our work also points out that care has to be taken in transposing the results obtained using the zebrafish as a model for human physiopathology.
ISSN: 0041-008X

inserm-01067804
http://www.hal.inserm.fr/inserm-01067804
http://www.hal.inserm.fr/inserm-01067804/document
http://www.hal.inserm.fr/inserm-01067804/file/pintot_et_al._manuscript.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.taap.2014.07.020

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Xenoestrogens may persist in the environment by binding to sediments or suspended particulate matter serving as long-term reservoir and source of exposure, particularly for organisms living in or in contact with sediments. In this study, we present for the first time an effect-directed analysis (EDA) for identifying estrogenic compounds in a sediment sample using embryos of a transgenic reporter fish strain. In the tg(cyp19a1b-GFP) transgenic zebrafish strain, the expression of GFP (green fluorescent protein) in the brain is driven by an oestrogen responsive element in the promoter of the cyp19a1b (aromatase) gene. The selected sediment sample of the Czech river Bilina had already been analysed in a previous EDA using the yeast oestrogen screening assay and had revealed fractions containing estrogenic compounds. When normal phase HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) fractionation was used for the separation of the sediment sample, the biotest with transgenic fish embryos revealed two estrogenic fractions. Chemical analysis of candidate compounds in these sediment fractions suggested alkylphenols and estrone as candidate compounds responsible for the observed estrogenic effect. Alkylphenol concentrations could partially explain the estrogenicity of the fractions. However, xenoestrogens below the analytical detection limit or non-targeted estrogenic compounds have probably also contributed to the sample's estrogenic potency. The results indicated the suitability of the tg(cyp19a1b-GFP) fish embryo for an integrated chemical-biological analysis of estrogenic effects.
ISSN: 0166-445X

hal-01072210
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01072210
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01072210/document
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01072210/file/Effect-directed_analysis_for_estrogenic_compounds-final.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.05.016

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been recognized now for several decades as playing a key role in reproduction and exerting functions in numerous nonreproductive tissues. In this review, we attempt to summarize the in vitro studies that are the basis of our current understanding of the mechanisms of action of ERα as a nuclear receptor and the key roles played by its two activation functions (AFs) in its transcriptional activities. We then depict the consequences of the selective inactivation of these AFs in mouse models, focusing on the prominent roles played by ERα in the reproductive tract and in the vascular system. Evidence has accumulated over the two last decades that ERα is also associated with the plasma membrane and activates non-nuclear signaling from this site. These rapid/nongenomic/membrane-initiated steroid signals (MISS) have been characterized in a variety of cell lines, and in particular in endothelial cells. The development of selective pharmacological tools that specifically activate MISS and the generation of mice expressing an ERα protein impeded for membrane localization have begun to unravel the physiological role of MISS in vivo. Finally, we discuss novel perspectives for the design of tissue-selective ER modulators based on the integration of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of MISS actions of estrogens.
Physiological Reviews

hal-01533249
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01533249
DOI : 10.1152/physrev.00024.2016
PUBMED : 28539435

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Oxford University Press (OUP)
Résumé : International audience
STUDY QUESTION: Is prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) associated with variations of sex hormone levels in cord blood? SUMMARY ANSWER: Prenatal exposure to a number of POPs is associated with a disruption of hormone levels in cord blood, with sex specificities. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Epidemiological studies have reported disorders of reproductive health, in relation with POPs exposure during early life and the endocrine disruption properties of these chemicals have been suggested as possible mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A subset of 282 mother-child pairs was selected from the prospective population-based PELAGIE birth cohort (n = 3421, 2002-2006, Brittany, France). Pregnant women were recruited before 19 weeks of gestation and followed until delivery. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Sex hormone levels including sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E2), total testosterone (T), free testosterone (fT = T/SHBG) and the aromatase index (AI = T/E2) were measured in 282 cord blood samples. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was measured in male newborns only. Pesticide concentrations of α-endosulfan, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), γ-HCH, dieldrin, pp'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), heptachlor epoxide (HCE), as well as PCBs (congeners 153, 187 and the sum of anti-estrogenic PCBs 118, 138, and 170) and decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE209) were also measured in cord blood. Associations between sex hormones and POPs exposure were explored using multiple linear regressions adjusted for potential confounders. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: High PCB levels were associated with an increase of SHBG (P-trend extless 0.01) and AMH (P-trend extless 0.05) and a decrease of fT (P-trend extless 0.05) and AI (P-trend extless 0.01). High pesticide levels, particularly α-endosulfan and HCE, were associated with an increase of SHBG (P extless 0.05) and E2 (P extless 0.01) and a decrease of fT (P extless 0.05) and AI (P extless 0.01). Several of these associations were stronger, or specific, among male or female newborns. The associations were not altered in the sensitivity analyses. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The study population was of relatively small sample size, and some compounds rarely detected in cord blood. The high level of correlation between POPs makes it difficult to identify the most contributing POPs. Hormone measurements were performed at birth (in cord blood) and may not adequately represent the infant endocrine system. Multiple statistical testing may have led to false-positive associations. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our results are in discordance with those reported in the only published study of the kind but in accordance with studies about prenatal exposure to other endocrine disruptors such as phthalates. These findings may help understanding the pathways involved in adverse reproductive outcomes associated with POPs exposure. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The PELAGIE cohort is funded by Inserm, French Ministry of Health, French Ministry of Labor, InVS, ANR, ANSES, and French Ministry of Ecology. None of the authors has any competing interest to declare
ISSN: 0268-1161

hal-01220641
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01220641
DOI : 10.1093/humrep/dev260
PUBMED : 26493407

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Public Library of Science
Résumé : International audience
The formation of ovarian follicles is a finely tuned process that takes place within a narrow time-window in rodents. Multiple factors and pathways have been proposed to contribute to the mechanisms triggering this process but the role of endocrine factors, especially estrogens, remains elusive. It is currently hypothesized that removal from the maternal hormonal environment permits follicle formation at birth. However, experimentally-induced maintenance of high 17β-estradiol (E2) levels leads to subtle, distinct, immediate effects on follicle formation and oocyte survival depending on the species and dose. In this study, we examined the immediate effects of neonatal E2 exposure from post-natal day (PND) 0 to PND2 on the whole organism and on ovarian follicle formation in rats. Measurements of plasma E2, estrone and their sulfate conjugates after E2 exposure showed that neonatal female rats rapidly acquire the capability to metabolize and clear excessive E2 levels. Concomitant modifications to the mRNA content of genes encoding selected E2 metabolism enzymes in the liver and the ovary in response to E2 exposure indicate that E2 may modify the neonatal maturation of these organs. In the liver, E2 treatment was associated with lower acquisition of the capability to metabolize E2. In the ovary, E2 depleted the oocyte pool in a dose dependent manner by PND3. In 10 µg/day E2-treated ovaries, apoptotic oocytes were observed in newly formed follicles in addition to areas of ovarian cord remodeling. At PND6, follicles without any visible oocyte were present and multi-oocyte follicles were not observed. Our study reveals a major species-difference. Indeed, neonatal exposure to E2 depletes the oocyte pool in the rat ovary, whereas in the mouse it is well known to increase oocyte survival.
ISSN: 1932-6203

hal-00936582
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00936582
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00936582/document
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00936582/file/Systemic_Compensatory_Response-accepted.pdf
DOI : 10.1371/journal.pone.0082175