Estrogen promotes autophagy in the mammary epithelial cells of dairy sheep via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis.

ABSTRACT: Mammary gland development and lactation in dairy sheep are regulated by hormones and autophagy; however, the role of estrogen-mediated autophagy remains unclear. This study determined that estrogen enhances autophagy, promotes CXCR4 and CXCL12 gene expression, and increases the number of autolysosomes in sheep mammary epithelial cells. Co-treatment with a CXCR4 overexpression vector and the small-molecule alternative of CXCL12, NUCC-390, significantly upregulated ATG5 and LC3 gene expression, increased the abundance of the autophagy-associated protein ATG5 and the LC3II/I ratio, and increased the consumption of the autophagy substrate P62. These results suggest that CXCR4 and CXCL12 signaling promotes autophagy in mammary epithelial cells. Conversely, co-treatment with a CXCR4-specific blo

SUBMITTER: Chu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12062523 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature