Conventional progesterone receptors (PR) B and PRA are expressed by human chondrocytes and can be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

S Aquila, F De Amicis, M Santoro, S Panza, D De Rose, D A Riccelli, B Iannò, O Galasso, G Gasparini

Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents 2020 Sep-Oct

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To evaluate the expression, location and role of progesterone receptors (PRs) A and B in human chondrocytic cell lines, Western blotting, real time PCR analyses, transmission electron microscopy and immunogold assays were performed. By transfection and co-transfection assays, the influence of progesterone (OHPg) on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) promoter activity was investigated. MTT and pAKT documented OHPg effects on chondrocytes survival. The PR-B and PR-A were both observed in human chondrocytes. The PR-B was evidenced both in the nucleus and in the cytosol of the cells. OHPg, through PR-B, induced ERα expression by acting at the ER promoter level affecting chondrocytes survival. We reported for the first time the expression of PRs in human chondrocytes. Interestingly, we described a novel mechanism via progesterone induction of ERα, which may explain, at least in part, the dramatic rise in OA prevalence among postmenopausal women. Copyright 2020 Biolife Sas. www.biolifesas.org.

Citation

S Aquila, F De Amicis, M Santoro, S Panza, D De Rose, D A Riccelli, B Iannò, O Galasso, G Gasparini. Conventional progesterone receptors (PR) B and PRA are expressed by human chondrocytes and can be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents. 2020 Sep-Oct;34(5 Suppl. 1):9-15. IORS Special Issue on Orthopedics