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Developmental estrogenization: Prostate gland reprogramming leads to increased disease risk with aging
1Departments of Urology, Physiology and Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 S Wood Street, MC955, Chicago, 60612, IL, USA.
Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|January 22, 2021
Summary
Early-life exposure to estrogens can alter prostate development, leading to lifelong changes. This "estrogen imprinting" increases the risk of prostate diseases later in life.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Estrogens play a role in normal prostate development and function.
- Aberrant early-life estrogen exposure can disrupt prostate gland development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on prostatic developmental estrogenization.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying estrogen imprinting in the prostate.
Main Methods:
- Review of published rodent model research.
- Analysis of epidemiological findings.
- Investigation of molecular and architectural changes.
Main Results:
- Early estrogen exposure reprograms the prostate gland structure and molecular profile.
- Evidence from rodent models and human epidemiology supports developmental estrogenization.
- Complex interactions involving steroid receptors, morphoregulatory factors, and epigenetics drive these changes.
Conclusions:
- Developmental estrogenization leads to a permanent "memory" of early estrogenic exposure in the prostate.
- This imprinting predisposes the prostate to prostatitis, hyperplasia, and cancer in aging.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for preventing prostate diseases.
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