D. Jaffuel et al., Correlation between different gene expression assays designed to measure trans-activation potencies of systemic glucocorticoids, STEROIDS, 66(7), 2001, pp. 597-604
The glucocorticoids (GC) betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, meth
ylprednisolone, prednisolone and triamcinolone acetonide are currently used
in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Through a process called trans-
activation, GC activate gene expression and produce various physiological a
nd pharmacological effects. In particular, by inducing gluconeogenic enzyme
s, long-term GC treatment may cause diabetes. Using three different assays,
we have extensively compared the capacity of the above GC to activate gene
expression. trans-Activation of a GC inducible luciferase gene was assesse
d in HeLa and A549 cells after stable and transient transfection, respectiv
ely. In hepatoma tissue culture cells, we measured trans-activation of the
endogenous gene encoding tyrosine aminotransferase, a gluconeogenic enzyme.
Half-maximal effective concentrations of GC were determined by dose-respon
se analyses. Results obtained with these assays were highly correlated and
GC were ranked in three groups according to their trans-activation potency:
betamethasone, dexamethasone, and triamcinolone acetonide > methylpredniso
lone and prednisolone > hydrocortisone. Potencies were not strictly related
to receptor binding affinities and not significantly affected by the amoun
t of endogenous GC receptor. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. Ah rights reser
ved.