J Clin Invest 116(3): 561-570

Estrogen receptors and human disease

Receptor Biology Section, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.

Address correspondence to: Kenneth S. Korach, Receptor Biology Section, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Maryland B3-02, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. Phone: (919) 541-3512; Fax: (919) 541-0696; E-mail: vog.hin.shein@hcarok.

Abstract

Estrogens influence many physiological processes in mammals, including but not limited to reproduction, cardiovascular health, bone integrity, cognition, and behavior. Given this widespread role for estrogen in human physiology, it is not surprising that estrogen is also implicated in the development or progression of numerous diseases, which include but are not limited to various types of cancer (breast, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, endometrial), osteoporosis, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, lupus erythematosus, endometriosis, and obesity. In many of these diseases, estrogen mediates its effects through the estrogen receptor (ER), which serves as the basis for many therapeutic interventions. This Review will describe diseases in which estrogen, through the ER, plays a role in the development or severity of disease.

Abstract

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Acknowledgments

Footnotes

Nonstandard abbreviations used: AD, Alzheimer disease; BMD, bone mineral density; DA, dopamine; DES, diethylstilbestrol; ER, estrogen receptor; αERKO, ERα knockout; βERKO, ERβ knockout; FL, femur length; HRT, hormone replacement therapy; LH, luteinizing hormone; LHβCTP, LHβ-C-terminal peptide; LPL, lipoprotein lipase; PAX2, paired-box gene 2; PD, Parkinson disease; SERM, selective estrogen receptor modulator; SNP, single-nucleotide polymorphism; WHI, Women’s Health Initiative.

Conflict of interest: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.

Note: References S1-S35 are available online with this article; doi:10.1172/JCI27987DS1.

Footnotes

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