Skip to main content
Log in

Glucocorticoid receptors immunoreactivity in tissue of human embryos

  • Published:
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The exact period when glucocorticoid receptors (GR) appear in human embryos is unknown, however their presence is acknowledged in target tissues before the fetal adrenal cortex secretes Cortisol. Determining when GR develop could serve as an index of the importance of glucocorticoids in the morphological and functional development of tissues. The aim of this study was to determine time of onset of GR in human tissues using an immunohistochemical method. Results indicate GR are present in tissues of 8–10-week-old human embryos: in most tissues, the immune reaction was only or predominantly nuclear.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Truss M., Beato M. Steroid hormone receptors: interaction with deoxyribonucleic acid and transcription factors. Endocr. Rev. 14: 459, 1993.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Brink M., Humbel B.M., Ron de Kloet E., Van Driel R. The unliganded glucocorticoid receptor is localized in the nucleus, not in the cytoplasm. Endocrinology 130: 3575, 1992.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gustafsson J.A., Carlsted-Duke L, Poellinger S., Okret S., Wikstrom A.C., Bronnegard M., Giliner M., Yu Dong, Fuxl K., Cintra A., Harfstrand A., Agnati L. Biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology of the glucocorticoid receptor. Endocr. Rev. 8: 185, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Kalinyak J.E., Griffin CA., Hamilton R.W., Bradshaw J., Perlman A.J., Hoffman A.R. Developmental and hormonal regulation of glucocorticoid receptor messenger RNA in the rat. J.Clin. Invest. 84: 1843, 1989.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Lawson A., Ahima R., Krozowski S., Harlan R.E. Postnatal development of corticosteroid receptor immunoreactivity in the rat cerebellum and brain stem. Neuroendocrinology 55: 695, 1992.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Antakly T., Eisen H.J. Immunocytochemical localization of glucocorticoid receptor in target cells. Endocrinology 115: 1984, 1984.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Fisher B., Rausch U., Wollny P., Westphal H., Seitz J., Aumuller G. Immunohistochemical localization of the glucocorticoid receptor in pancreatic B cells of the rat. Endocrinology 94: 450, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Shepard K.E., Autelitano D.I., Roberts I.R., Blum M. Glucocorticoid receptor function in rat pituitary intermediate lobe is inhibited by an endogenous protein. J. Neuroendocrinol. 5: 195, 1993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Giannopoulos G. Variations in the level of cytoplasmatic glucocorticoid receptors in lungs of various species at different developmental stages. Endocrinology 94: 450, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Srivastava D., Thompson E.B. Two glucocorticoid binding sites on the human glucocorticoid receptor. Endocrinology 127: 1770, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Polk D.H. Disorders of the adrenal gland. In: Taeusch H.W., Ballard R.A., Avery M.E. (Eds), Diseases of the newborn. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 1991, p. 938.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Arsenault D., Ménard D. Influence of hydrocortisone on human fetal small intestine in organ culture. J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. 4: 893, 1985.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Villa M., Ménard D., Semenza G., Mantei N. The expression of lactase enzymatic activity and mRNA in human fetal jejunum. Effect of organ culture and of treatment with hydrocortisone. FEBS Lett. 301: 202, 1992.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Sottili M, Sternini C., Brecha N.C., Lezoche E., Walsh J.H. Transforming growth factor receptor binding sites in the canine gastrointestinal tract. Gastroenterology 103: 1427, 1992.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Lobie P.E., Garcia-Aragon J., Waters M.J. Prolactin receptor expression in the gastrointestinal tract: characterization of the prolactin receptor of gastric mucosa. J. Endocrinol. 139: 371, 1993.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Ballard P.L., Ballard R.A. Cytoplasmatic receptors for glucocorticoids in lung of the human fetus and neonate. J.Clin. Invest. 53: 477, 1974.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Beer D.G., Butley M.S., Cunha G.R., Malkinson A.M. Autoradiographic localization of specific (3H)-dex-amethasone binding in fetal lung. Devel. Biol. 35: 105, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Post M., Smith B.T. Hormonal control of surfactant metabolism. In: B. Robertson, L.M.G. Van Golde, Battenbur J.J. (Eds.), Pulmonary Surfactant. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1992, p. 379.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Gonzales L.W., Ballard P.L, Erney R., Williams M.C. Glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones stimulate biochemical and morphological differentiation of human fetal lungs in organ culture. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 62: 678, 1986.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ward R.M. Pharmacologic enhancement of fetal lung maturation. Fetal Drug Ther. 21: 523, 1994.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Moya F.R., Gross I. Combined hormonal therapy for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome and its consequences. Semin. Perinatol. 17: 267, 1993.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Ringler G.E., Strauss J.F. III In vitro system for the study of human placental endocrine function. Endocr. Rev. 11: 105, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Guller G., Markiewicz L., Wozniak R., Burnham J.M., Wang E.Y., Kaplan P., Lockwood C.J. Developmental regulation of glucocorticoid mediated effects on extracellular matrix protein expression in the human placenta. Endocrinology 134: 2064, 1994.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Ing N.H., O’Malley B.W. The steroid hormone receptor superfamily. In: Weintraub B.D. (Ed.), Molecular Endocrinology. Raven Press, New York, 1995, p. 195.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Costa, A., Rocci, M.P., Arisio, R. et al. Glucocorticoid receptors immunoreactivity in tissue of human embryos. J Endocrinol Invest 19, 92–98 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349843

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349843

Key-words

Navigation