11-HSD Activity Research Articles

Intestinal inflammation modulates expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in murine gut

The effect of glucocorticoids is controlled at the pre-receptor level by the activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD). The isoform 11HSD1 is an NADP+ -dependent oxidoreductase, usually reductase, that amplifies the action of glucocorticoids due to reduction of the biologically inactive 11-oxo derivatives cortisone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone to cortisol and corticosterone. The NAD+ -dependent isoform (11HSD2) is an oxidase that restrains the effect of hormones due to 11beta-oxidation of cortisol and corticosterone to their 11-oxo derivatives. Although the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids are well known, the relationship between inflammation and local metabolism of glucocorticoids is not well understood. In this study, we demonstrated that colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium modulates colonic 11HSD1. Experimentally induced intestinal inflammation stimulated colonic NADP+ -dependent but not NAD+ -dependent 11HSD activity. Colonic 11HSD1 mRNA was increased, whereas 11HSD2 mRNA was not changed. Additional parallel studies revealed a similar pattern of 11HSD1 mRNA induction in mesenteric lymph nodes and intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes, but not in spleen and peritoneal macrophages. These data suggest that inflammation modulates local metabolism of glucocorticoid and support the notion that pre-receptor regulation of endogenous corticosteroids might play a role in inflammatory processes.

Corticosterone metabolism in chicken tissues: Evidence for tissue-specific distribution of steroid dehydrogenases

Glucocorticoids influence the function of numerous tissues. Although there are a very large number of studies that have investigated the local metabolism of glucocorticoids in mammals, the knowledge of this metabolism in birds is limited. The local concentration of corticosterone is critical for both glucocorticoid- and mineralocorticoid-dependent activity, and we have therefore carried out studies of corticosterone metabolism in various chicken organs. It was found that corticosterone was metabolized to 20-dihydrocorticosterone, and in some tissues also to 11-dehydrocorticosterone and 11-dehydro-20-dihydrocorticosterone. The activity of 20-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20HSD), responsible for the transformation of corticosterone to 20-hydroxy derivatives, was abundant in the kidney and intestine, with lower levels in the liver and testis. Low levels of 20HSD were detected in the brain and ovaries. In contrast, 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD) activity was only found in the kidney and intestine. No activity was observed in the brain, testis, or ovaries. The treatment of chickens with estrogens stimulated 20HSD activity in the kidney, intestine, and oviduct and 11HSD activity in the liver and oviduct. Kinetic studies for corticosterone yielded an apparent K m for 11HSD in the nanomolar ( K m = 21 ± 5 nmol · l −1) and for 20HSD in the micromolar range ( K m = 3.7 ± 0.3 μmol · l −1). When progesterone or 5 α-dihydrotestosterone were used instead of corticosterone, the tissues reduced the former to 20 β-dihydroprogesterone and the latter to both 5 α,3 α- and 5 α,3 β-dihydrotestosterone. The data presents the first evidence for corticosterone metabolism via 11 β-, 3 α/3 β-, and 20 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in various chicken organs and provide support for the theory of prereceptor modulation of glucocorticoid signals in avian tissues.

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the heart of normotensive and hypertensive rats

Corticosteroids have been shown to play a role in cardiac remodeling, with the possibility of a direct effect of overexpression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD) isoform 2 at the level of the cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to examine cardiac steroid metabolism in hypertensive rats with hearts that are hypertrophied and fibrotic and have structural alterations in the coronary circulation. To assess possible alterations of cardiac steroid metabolism the expression and activity of both isoforms of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD) were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), their normotensive controls Wistar–Kyoto (WKY), and in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant rats (DR) kept on a low- or high-salt diet. Using real-time quantitative RT-PCR and enzyme activity assay we found strain-dependent differences in cardiac metabolism of glucocorticoids. In Dahl rats expression of 11HSD1 and 11HSD2 mRNA was lower in DS than in DR rats and was not influenced by dietary salt intake; 11HSD1 mRNA was expressed at higher level than 11HSD2 mRNA. NADP +-dependent cardiac 11HSD activity showed similar distribution as 11HSD1 mRNA—lower activity in DS than in DR rats and no effect of salt intake. In SHR and WKY strains 11HSD2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in WKY than in SHR but no differences were observed in 11HSD1 mRNA abundance and NADP +-dependent 11HSD activity. These results show that the heart is able to metabolize glucocorticoids and that this metabolism is strain-dependent but do not support the notion of association between cardiac hypertrophy and changes of 11HSD1 and 11HSD2 expression.

Glucocorticoid metabolism and Na+ transport in chicken intestine

The role of aldosterone in regulation of electrogenic Na+ transport is well established, though mineralocorticoid receptors bind glucocorticoids with similar binding affinity as aldosterone and plasma concentration of aldosterone is much lower than glucocorticoids. In mammals, the aldosterone specificity is conferred on the low-selective mineralocorticoid receptors by glucocorticoid inactivating enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD) that converts cortisol or corticosterone into metabolites (cortisone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone) with lower affinity for these receptors. The present study examined the chicken intestine, whether changes in 11HSD activity are able to modulate the effect of corticosterone on Na+ transport, and how the metabolism of this hormone is distributed within the intestinal wall. This study shows that not only aldosterone, but also corticosterone (B), was able to increase the electrogenic Na+ transport in chicken caecum in vitro. The effect of corticosterone was higher in the presence of carbenoxolone, an inhibitor of steroid dehydrogenases, and was comparable to the effect of aldosterone. The metabolism of B in the intestine was studied; results showed oxidation of this steroid to 11-dehydrocorticosterone (A) and reduction to 11-dehydro-20beta-dihydrocorticosterone (20diA) as the main metabolic products at low nanomolar concentration of the substrate. In contrast, 20beta-dihydrocorticosterone and 20diA were the major products at micromolar concentration of B. Progesterone was converted to 20beta-dihydroprogesterone. The metabolism of corticosterone was localized predominantly in the intestinal mucosa (enterocytes). In conclusion, the oxidation at position C11 and reduction at position C20 suggest that both 11HSD and 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20HSD) operate in the chicken intestine and that the mucosa of avian intestine possesses a partly different system of modulation of corticosteroid signals than mammals. This system seems to protect the aldosterone target tissue against excessive concentration of corticosterone and progesterone.

The 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 exists as an inactive dimer.

The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1 and 2 enzymes (11beta-HSD1 and 11beta-HSD2), modulate glucocorticoid occupation of the mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors by interconverting corticosterone and cortisol to the inactive metabolites 11-dehydrocorticosterone and cortisone within the target cells. The NAD(+)-dependent 11-HSD 2 in the kidney inactivates corticosterone and cortisol, allowing aldosterone, which is not metabolized, access to the receptor. Studies of the kinetics of 11-HSD 2 activity in the rat kidney have produced inconsistent results. Western blots done in the absence of the reducing agent beta-mercaptoethanol showed two bands with approximate MW of 40 and 80 kDa. When beta-mercaptoethanol was used, only the 40 kDa was detected, indicating that under non-denaturing conditions a significant proportion of the 11beta-HSD 2 exists as a dimer. NAD(+)-dependent conversion of 3H-corticosterone by 20 microg of microsomal protein increased approximately 10 fold with the addition of 5 mM DTT concentration. NADP(+)-dependent activity with 20 microg of microsomal protein was very low and did not change significantly when using DTT. In the presence of DTT, the predominant 11-HSD activity in the rat kidney is NAD(+)-dependent with a K(m) of 15.1 nM, similar to that of the cloned and expressed enzyme. These data suggest that dimerization and subsequent enzyme inactivation occur when protocols promoting oxidation of this protein are used.

Expression of Hsd11K (NAD+ Dependent 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase) Promoter Constructs in Renal Cell Lines

The kidney (11-HSD2 or 11-HSDK) isozyme of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase confers specificity for aldosterone on mineralocorticoid receptors in target tissues. In rodent kidney, this isozyme is expressed mainly in cortical collecting ducts and is undetectable in proximal tubules. Using mouse M-1 and rabbit RCD cortical collecting duct cells, we analyzed the 5′-flanking region of the human HSD11K gene encoding this enzyme in an attempt to identify transcriptional regulatory elements responsible for gene expression in the kidney. M-1 and RCD cells had high levels of NAD+ dependent 11-HSD activity with corticosterone as the substrate. Luciferase reporter constructs containing 1785 or 327 nucleotides (nt) upstream of the initiator ATG codon were expressed at similar levels in each cell line, but deletion to 167 nt almost completely abolished expression in both cell types. This region is GC-rich and contain Sp1 binding sites. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays of the region containing the putative Sp1 sites showed several DNA-protein complexes in both the cell types. Mutations of the Sp1 sites decreased transcriptional activity in M-1 cells; however, these mutations had a marginal effect in the RCD cells. These results suggest that elements controlling renal cell type expression are located in the proximal 327 nucleotides of the 5′ flanking region of HSD11K.

Vasopressin potentiates mineralocorticoid selectivity by stimulating 11 beta hydroxysteroid deshydrogenase in rat collecting duct.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and corticosteroid hormones are involved in sodium reabsorption regulation in the renal collecting duct. Synergy between AVP and aldosterone has been well documented, although its mechanism remains unclear. Both aldosterone and glucocorticoid hormones bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and mineralocorticoid selectivity depends on the MR-protecting enzyme 11 beta hydroxysteroid deshydrogenase (11-HSD), which metabolizes glucocorticoids into derivatives with low affinity for MR. We have investigated whether the activity of 11-HSD could be influenced by AVP and corticosteroid hormones. This study shows that in isolated rat renal collecting ducts, AVP increases 11-HSD catalytic activity. This effect is maximal at 10(-8) M AVP (a concentration clearly above the normal physiological range of AVP concentrations) and involves the V2 receptor pathway, while activation of protein kinase C or changes in intracellular calcium are ineffective. The stimulatory effect of AVP on 11-HSD is largely reduced after adrenalectomy, and is selectively restored by infusion of aldosterone, not glucocorticoids. We conclude that this synergy between AVP and aldosterone in controlling the activity of 11-HSD is likely to play a pivotal role in resetting mineralocorticoid selectivity, and hence sodium reabsorption capacities of the renal collecting duct.

Variation in placental type 2 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity is not related to birth weight or placental weight

It has been suggested that the association between the development of hypertension and a combination of low birth weight and high placental weight can be explained by variations in expression of NAD +-dependent 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD2 or 11-HSD K) in the placenta. Enzymatic activity and mRNA levels of 11-HSD2 were measured in 111 human placentas taken from normal births. There were no correlations between either 11-HSD2 activity or mRNA levels and either fetal or placental weight. These studies suggest that variations in placental 11-HSD activity do not influence fetal or placental weight in humans.

11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess.

Whereas aldosterone is normally a much stronger mineralocorticoid than cortisol in vivo, mineralocorticoid receptors have identical in vitro affinities for these hormones. The in vivo specificity of the receptors is, at least in part, the result of activity of 11-HSD, an enzyme located in most mineralocorticoid target tissues that converts cortisol to cortisone. Cortisone is not a ligand for the receptor, whereas aldosterone is not a substrate of the enzyme. The syndrome of AME is a rare form of juvenile hypertension in which 11-HSD is defective. This deficiency allows mineralocorticoid receptors to be occupied by cortisol, leading to hypertension, because plasma concentrations of cortisol are much higher than those of aldosterone. Licorice, which contains 11-HSD inhibitors, causes a similar syndrome. There are two known isozymes of 11-HSD. The liver or type I isozyme is expressed at high levels in the liver, has a relatively low affinity for steroids (micromolar Km), catalyzes both dehydrogenation and the reverse reductase reaction, and utilizes NADP+ or NADPH as cofactors. The kidney or type 2 isozyme is expressed at high levels in the kidney and placenta, has a high affinity (nanomolar Km) for steroids, catalyzes only dehydrogenation, and utilizes NAD+ as a cofactor. Mutations in the HSD11B2 (HSD11K) gene encoding the kidney isozyme of 11-HSD have been detected in all kindreds with AME studied thus far. This gene represents a candidate locus for the common, "essential" form of hypertension.

Molecular analysis of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and its role in the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess

The syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) is an inherited form of hypertension in which 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) is defective. This enzyme converts cortisol to its inactive metabolite, cortisone. The deficiency allows mineralocorticoid receptors to be occupied by cortisol, because these receptors themselves have similar affinities for cortisol and aldosterone. There are two isozymes of 11-HSD, a liver (L) or type 1 isozyme with a relatively low affinity for steroids, and a kidney (K) or type 2 isozyme with high steroid affinity. Mutations in the gene for the kidney isozyme of 11-HSD have been detected in all kindreds with AME. We expressed enzymes carrying all known missense mutations in cultured cells and determined their activity. For each patient with AME, we compared the enzymatic activity predicted by the genotype with the ratio of cortisol to cortisone metabolites in the urine, (THF + aTHF) THE . These were strongly correlated, suggesting that the biochemical phenotype of AME is largely determined by genotype. The K isozyme of 11-HSD is also expressed in high levels in the placenta, where its function is unclear. AME patients often have low birth weight. By analogy with AME, low placental 11-HSD K activity in humans might be a risk factor for low birth weight and subsequent hypertension. However, we found that there was no significant correlation between 11-HSD activity, mRNA levels, and either fetal or placental weight.

Evidence for independent modulation of human 11-HSD and 5 alpha/5 beta reductase activities.

The increased ratio of 5 alpha to 5 beta reduced steroids associated with apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) may be a necessary consequence of altered 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) activity. In order to test this hypothesis we have compared changes in 11-HSD activity and 5 alpha/5 beta reduction in a variety of clinical and experimental conditions. The ratio of 11-oxo/11 beta-hydroxy metabolites of cortisol (11-oxo/11-OH FM) was used as an index of 11-HSD activity and the ratio of allotetrahydrocortisol/ tetrahydrocortisol (allo THF/THF) was used as an index of 5 alpha/5 beta reduction. Ratios were derived from 24 hour urinary steroid profiles measured by high resolution gas chromatography. The clinical conditions studied were Cushing's Syndrome, Major Depression and hirsutism. In each study, the patient group were compared with age-matched healthy controls. For the experimental conditions, subjects treated with either hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, metyrapone or finasteride acted as their own controls. No consistent relationship was found between changes in the ratios of 11-oxo/11-OH FM and allo THF/THF. We conclude that there is no evidence of consistent metabolic interaction between 11-HSD and 5 alpha/5 beta reductase activities under a wide range of conditions. Furthermore, the patterns of metabolic changes seen in these conditions are no less characteristic, although more subtle, than the well-documented metabolic changes seen in inborn errors of steroid metabolism.

Hybridization histochemical localization of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in rat brain.

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) activity allows aldosterone occupancy of mineralocorticoid receptors by inactivating endogenous glucocorticoids. The expression of the 11-HSD2 gene, a low Km, NAD+ dependent species of 11-HSD, was found in several discrete areas of the rat brain by in situ hybridization. Cells strongly positive for 11-HSD2 mRNA were found in the commissural portion of the nucleus tractus solitarius, subcommissural organ and ventrolateral ventromedial hypothalamus. Scattered labeled cells were also seen in the medial vestibular nucleus. The expression of 11-HSD2 mRNA in the brain is quite distinct from that of 11-HSD1 mRNA and allows for diverse roles in modulating corticosteroid receptor involvement in control of salt appetite, blood pressure and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Prerequisite for cardiac aldosterone action. Mineralocorticoid receptor and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the human heart.

It has been proposed that aldosterone exerts direct effects on heart function, most notably on the development of myocardial fibrosis during ventricular hypertrophy in rat. Initial events in aldosterone action entail its binding to mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Because MR displays similar affinities for aldosterone and glucocorticoids, the in vivo aldosterone selectivity of MR requires the presence of an enzyme, 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD), which metabolizes glucocorticoids into inactive derivatives. Although evidence exists for the presence of MR in rodent heart, no data are available for humans; moreover, the existence of cardiac 11-HSD is controversial. The heart samples used originated from tissue removed during cardiac surgery in nontransplant patients or from endocavitary biopsies done for the follow-up of heart transplantation. The expression of MR was examined at the mRNA and protein level by in situ hybridization with cRNA probes specific for human MR mRNA and by immunodetection with two specific anti-MR antibodies. 11-HSD catalytic activity was determined by measurement of the metabolic rate of tritiated corticosteroids by cardiac samples. In nontransplanted hearts, an in situ hybridization signal equivalent to that found in the whole kidney was present on cardiomyocytes. Specific immunolabeling of cardiomyocytes with anti-MR antibodies demonstrated the presence of the MR protein. Cardiac 11-HSD activity was detected (243 +/- 26 fmol.30 min-1.mg protein-1) and was dependent on the cofactor NAD, not NADP, suggesting that it corresponds to the form of the enzyme specifically responsible for MR protection. In transplanted hearts that presented severe alterations, MR immunodetection was weaker and irregular, with no specific hybridization signal. Our results demonstrate that MR is coexpressed with 11-HSD in human heart, which thus possesses the cellular machinery required for direct aldosterone action.

Glucocorticoid receptor, mineralocorticoid receptors, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 and -2 expression in rat brain and kidney: in situ studies

In mammals, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) activity allows aldosterone occupancy of mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) by inactivating endogenous glucocorticoids. The present study examined the distribution of 11-HSD2, 11-HSD1, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and MR in kidney and brain. High levels of expression of 11-HSD2 were found in renal cortical distal tubules and more diffusely expressed in distal tubules of the medulla. No expression of 11-HSD2 was found on serial sectioning of the brain. 11-HSD1 was expressed in proximal tubules of the kidney and throughout the brain. GR mRNA was found predominantly in renal proximal tubules and diffusely in brain, while MR mRNA was located in the renal distal tubules and also in various brain nuclei. These anatomical findings support a functional relationship between 11-HSD1 and GR in both brain and kidney, but between 11-HSD2 and MR in kidney only.

Mutations in putative glycosylation sites of rat 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase affect enzymatic activity

11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) catalyzes the interconversion of corticosterone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone in rats, or cortisol and cortisone in humans. The ‘liver’ or ‘Type I’ isozyme is a widely distributed glycoprotein that utilizes NADP + as a co-factor. To study the role of glycosylation in maintaining enzymatic activity, we introduced mutations into the two potential N-linked glycosylation sites (asparagine- X-serine, residues 158–160 and 203–205) predicted from the rat cDNA sequence. Mutagenesis was performed by a PCR based technique, and wild-type (WT) and mutant cDNAs were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells after cloning into the pCMV4 vector. At each putative glycosylation site, asparagine (N) was changed to glutamine (Q) or aspartic acid (D), and serine (S) changed to alanine (A). All three modifications of the first site (N158Q, N158D, S160A) had minimal (75–100% of WT) effects on dehydrogenase activity and caused a mild (50–75% of WT) decrease in reductase activity. In contrast, mutations at the second site had marked effects, with N203Q and N203D completely abolishing both dehydrogenase and reductase activities and S205A decreasing both activities to about 20% of WT. The double mutation of S160A and S205A also abolished all activity, even though the enzyme carrying each mutation alone was, at least, partially active. The results suggest that N203 (which is highly but not completely conserved in short chain dehydrogenase enzymes) is essential for activity of 11-HSD. N-linked glycosylation may be necessary for full activity or stability of the enzyme.

Characteristics and regulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of proximal and distal nephron

Enzymatic properties of the enzyme 11/3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD), which confers mineralocorticoid selectivity, have been explored in the aldosterone-sensitive collecting duct (CCD) and the aldosterone-insensitive Pars Recta (PR) of the rat kidney. After incubation of freshly isolated tubular segments with [3H]corticosterone (3H-B) or [3H]dehydrocorticosterone ( 3H-A), the rate of transformation of 3H-B into 3H-A (dehydrogenase activity), or the reverse reaction (reductase activity) were measured by HPLC. V max, for dehydrogenase activity was found to be 8− to 10-fold higher in CCD than PR. The enzyme functions over a very wide range (0.1–5000 nM) of corticosterone concentration. In CCD, enzyme kinetics suggest either the presence of two 11-HSD forms, differing by their affinity for corticosterone, or complex kinetics. Addition of NAD or NADP to permeabilized tubules revealed that dehydrogenase activity is NAD-dependent in CCD and NADP-dependent in PR. Cofactor addition was ineffective in intact tubules. CCD exhibited an exclusive dehydrogenase activity, whereas in PR dehydrogenase and reductase activity were found. No regulation of dehydrogenase activity could be evidenced in adrenalectomized rats receiving or not aldosterone, corticosterone or dexamethasone, for 2 h, 3 days or 4 days. We conclude that 11-HSD in the CCD and PR differs by its V max and cofactor dependence. Corticosteroid hormones do not influence 11-HSD activity.

Functional studies of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) catalyzes the interconversion of cortisol and cortisone. This activity is postulated to protect the type I (mineralocorticoid) receptor from excessive concentrations of cortisol, allowing aldosterone to function as a mineralocorticoid. An enzyme with 11-HSD activity was isolated from rat liver and the corresponding rat and human cDNA and genomic clones isolated. This enzyme is a member of the “short chain dehydrogenase” family. Using site-directed mutagenesis, it was demonstrated that two highly conserved residues, Tyr-179 and Lys-183, are required for enzymatic function. Elimination of the amino terminus or the two glycosylation sites also destroys enzymatic activity. This may be due to actual disruption of enzymatic function or to effects on intracellular localization or stability of the enzyme. Examination of patients with apparent mineralocorticoid excess, a syndrome of juvenile hypertension thought to represent 11-HSD deficiency, did not reveal any mutations in the gene for this enzyme. There is substantial evidence for a second 11-HSD isozyme with distinct kinetic properties that is expressed in the renal distal tubule and possibly other sites of mineralocorticoid action. Apparent mineralocorticoid excess may involve this enzyme.

Human skin as target for aldosterone: coexpression of mineralocorticoid receptors and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

The expression of mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD) activity has been investigated in the epidermis and appendages of the human skin. Aldosterone binds to MR and regulates sodium transport in tight epithelia. Mineralocorticoid selectivity is achieved through coexpression of MR and 11HSD, which prevents permanent MR occupancy by glucocorticoids. Some forms of hypertension may involve abnormalities of MR and/or 11HSD. However, their direct assessment in humans remains difficult in the kidney or colon. This led us to explore this system in human skin easily accessible to biopsy. In situ hybridization with specific MR complementary ribonucleic acid probes and immunohistochemistry using three different anti-MR antibodies showed that MR was expressed at both the messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels in the keratinocytes of the epidermis, in the sweat and sebaceous glands, and in the hair follicles. A significant 11HSD activity was found in isolated sweat gland ducts (5 fmol/3-mm length.10-min incubation with 10 nmol/L corticosterone as substrate) and was very low in the epidermis. In both structures, reductase activity was 10 times lower than that of dehydrogenase. Studies on the cofactor specificity of the enzyme showed a nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide preference in sweat glands, contrasting with a nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide phosphate dependence in epidermis. Human skin appears as a new target for aldosterone because it coexpresses MR and 11HSD. Our findings present the possibility to explore the functionality of the MR system in human tissue and its implications in various physiopathological situations.

The mineralocorticoid receptor discriminates aldosterone from glucocorticoids independently of the 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

To investigate the mechanisms involved in the in vivo aldosterone selectivity of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), we studied the respective contribution of the receptor and the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD), which converts glucocorticoids into inactive metabolites. Using a cotransfection assay in CV-1 cells, aldosterone activated mouse mammary tumor virus promoter through human MR (hMR) with an ED50 of 0.01 nM. An at least 100-fold higher concentration of cortisol (F), corticosterone (B), or dexamethasone was required to obtain half-maximum transactivation, indicating a functional preference of hMR for aldosterone over glucocorticoids. The catalytic activity of 11HSD was analyzed using HPLC by measuring the tritiated metabolites produced in CV-1 and COS cells. Both cell types displayed a significant dehydrogenase activity (20 fmol/10 min.10(3) cells) inhibitable by carbenoxolone, but no detectable reductase activity. In this model, B was more rapidly metabolized than F. Carbenoxolone treatment of hMR-transfected CV-1 cells did not result in a shift of the dose-response transactivation curves of B and F toward lower concentrations, ruling out the implication of 11HSD in the aldosterone MR selectivity of these conditions. Despite similar affinity constants of aldosterone and glucocorticoids for the hMR, kinetic experiments showed that the off-rate of aldosterone from hMR was 5 times lower than that of glucocorticoids, pointing to an intrinsic discriminating property of the receptor. Therefore, we propose that in addition to 11HSD, MR plays an active role in the mechanism of aldosterone selectivity.

Reciprocal changes in plasma corticosterone and testosterone in stressed male rats maintained in a visible burrow system: evidence for a mediating role of testicular 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

The purpose of these studies was to investigate the possible role of rat Leydig cell 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD) in mediating the inhibitory effects of corticosterone on testosterone production. In a unique communal environment, the visible burrow system, male Long-Evans rats spontaneously segregated into unstressed dominant and stressed subordinate social relationships. Subordinate animals had elevated plasma corticosterone and diminished circulating testosterone levels relative to the dominant animals. The categories of animals were distinguished by behavioral criteria: weight change, wounds received, offensive and defensive behavior, and freedom of movement. As a result of their persistently elevated corticosterone levels, subordinate animals had smaller thymi and larger adrenals and spleens than dominants. We have postulated that Leydig cells are protected against the inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids on testosterone secretion by the inactivating effects of 11HSD. High corticosterone and low 11HSD are predicted to suppress testosterone production, and normal or diminished corticosterone levels combined with normal or elevated 11HSD should permit undiminished testosterone production. Consistent with these predictions, the testes of subordinate animals contained significantly lower 11HSD activity than those of dominant animals. The 11HSD of livers of subordinate and dominant animals were statistically indistinguishable. The results of this study support the postulated role of 11HSD as a protector of Leydig cell function.