Expression of Tachykinins and Tachykinin Receptors and Interaction with Kisspeptin in Human Granulosa and Cumulus Cells1

Abstract The neurokinin B/NK3 receptor (NK3R) and kisspeptin/kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R), two systems which are essential for reproduction, are coexpressed in human mural granulosa (MGC) and cumulus cells (CCs). However, little is known about the presence of other members of the tachykinin family in the human ovary. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of substance P (SP), hemokinin-1 (HK-1), NK1 receptor (NK1R), and NK2 receptor (NK2R) in MGCs and CCs collected from preovulatory follicles of oocyte donors at the time of oocyte retrieval. RT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and Western blotting were used to investigate the patterns of expression of tachykinin and tachykinin receptor mRNAs and proteins and the possible interaction between the tachykinin family and kisspeptin. Intracellular free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) in MGCs after exposure to SP or kisspeptin in the presence of SP were also measured. We found that SP, HK-1, the truncated NK1R isoform NK1R-Tr, and NK2R were all expressed in MGCs and CCs. NK1R-Tr mRNA and NK2R mRNA and protein levels were higher in MGCs than in CCs from the same patients. Treatment of cells with kisspeptin modulated the expression of HK-1, NK3R, and KISS1R mRNAs, whereas treatment with SP regulated kisspeptin mRNA levels and reduced the [Ca2+]i response produced by kisspeptin. These data demonstrate that the whole tachykinin system is expressed and acts in coordination with kisspeptin to regulate granulosa cell function in the human ovary.

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Negative Correlation Between Serum Levels of Homocysteine and Apolipoprotein M

Current Molecular Medicine ◽

10.2174/1566524019666190308115624 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 120-126

Author(s):

J. Wei ◽

Y. Yu ◽

Y. Feng ◽

J. Zhang ◽

Q. Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Correlation ◽

Hepg2 Cells ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Apolipoprotein M ◽

Protein Mass ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase

Background: Homocysteine (Hcy) has been suggested as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a constituent of the HDL particles. The goal of this study was to examine the serum levels of homocysteine and apoM and to determine whether homocysteine influences apoM synthesis. Methods: Serum levels of apoM and Hcy in 17 hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) patients and 19 controls were measured and their correlations were analyzed. Different concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) and LY294002, a specific phosphoinositide 3- kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, were used to treat HepG2 cells. The mRNA levels were determined by RT-PCR and the apoM protein mass was measured by western blot. Results: We found that decreased serum apoM levels corresponded with serum HDL levels in HHcy patients, while the serum apoM levels showed a statistically significant negative correlation with the serum Hcy levels. Moreover, apoM mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased after the administration of Hcy in HepG2 cells, and this effect could be abolished by addition of LY294002. Conclusions: resent study demonstrates that Hcy downregulates the expression of apoM by mechanisms involving the PI3K signal pathway.

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Regulation of AMH by oocyte-specific growth factors in human primary cumulus cells

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep-17-0421 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 154 (6) ◽

pp. 745-753 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Scott Convissar ◽

Marah Armouti ◽

Michelle A Fierro ◽

Nicola J Winston ◽

Humberto Scoccia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fold Increase ◽

Cumulus Cells ◽

Maximal Effect ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Secreted Factors ◽

Morphogenetic Protein ◽

Growth Differentiation Factor 9 ◽

Signaling Inhibitors

The regulation of AMH production by follicular cells is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the oocyte-secreted factors, growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), on AMH production in primary human cumulus cells. Cumulus cells from IVF patients were cultured with a combination of GDF9, BMP15, recombinant FSH and specific signaling inhibitors. Stimulation with GDF9 or BMP15 separately had no significant effect onAMHmRNA levels. In contrast, simultaneous stimulation with GDF9 and BMP15 (G + B) resulted in a significant increase inAMHmRNA expression. Increasing concentration of G + B (0.6, 2.5, 5 and 10 ng/mL) stimulated AMH in a dose-dependent manner, showing a maximal effect at 5 ng/mL. Western blot analyses revealed an average 16-fold increase in AMH protein levels in cells treated with G + B when compared to controls. FSH co-treatment decreased the stimulation of AMH expression by G + B. The stimulatory effect of G + B on the expression of AMH was significantly decreased by inhibitors of the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway. These findings show for the first time that AMH production is regulated by oocyte-secreted factors in primary human cumulus cells. Moreover, our novel findings establish that the combination of GDF9 + BMP15 potently stimulates AMH expression.

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Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1alpha) inhibition modulates cumulus cell function and affects bovine oocyte maturation in vitro†

Biology of Reproduction ◽

10.1093/biolre/ioaa196 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Aslihan Turhan ◽

Miguel Tavares Pereira ◽

Gerhard Schuler ◽

Ulrich Bleul ◽

Mariusz P Kowalewski

Keyword(s):

Oocyte Maturation ◽

Cell Function ◽

Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽

Cumulus Cell ◽

Cumulus Cells ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Maturation In Vitro

Abstract Various metabolic and hormonal factors expressed in cumulus cells are positively correlated with the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. However, the role of hypoxia sensing both during maturation of cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) as well as during the resumption of meiosis remains uncertain. HIF1alpha plays major roles in cellular responses to hypoxia, and here we investigated its role during bovine COC maturation by assessing the expression of related genes in cumulus cells. COCs were divided into the following groups: immature (control), in vitro matured (IVM/control), or matured in the presence of a blocker of HIF1alpha activity (echinomycin, IVM/E). We found an inhibition of cumulus cell expansion in IVM/E, compared with the IVM/control. Transcript levels of several factors (n = 13) were assessed in cumulus cells. Decreased expression of HAS2, TNFAIP6, TMSB4, TMSB10, GATM, GLUT1, CX43, COX2, PTGES, and STAR was found in IVM/E (P < 0.05). Additionally, decreased protein levels were detected for STAR, HAS2, and PCNA (P < 0.05), while activated-Caspase 3 remained unaffected in IVM/E. Progesterone output decreased in IVM/E. The application of PX-478, another blocker of HIF1alpha expression, yielded identical results. Negative effects of HIF1alpha suppression were further observed in the significantly decreased oocyte maturation and blastocyst rates from COCs matured with echinomycin (P < 0.05) or PX-478 (P < 0.05). These results support the importance of HIF1alpha for COC maturation and subsequent embryo development. HIF1alpha is a multidirectional factor controlling intercellular communication within COCs, steroidogenic activity, and oocyte development rates, and exerting effects on blastocyst rates.

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Activin B is produced early in antral follicular development and suppresses thecal androgen production

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep-11-0327 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 143 (5) ◽

pp. 637-650 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

J M Young ◽

S Henderson ◽

C Souza ◽

H Ludlow ◽

N Groome ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Follicular Development ◽

Activin A ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Inhibin A ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Follicle Diameter ◽

Preovulatory Follicles ◽

Follicle Size

Little is known about the role of activin B during folliculogenesis. This study investigated the expression levels of activin/inhibin subunits (βA, βB, and α), steroid enzyme, and gonadotrophin receptors in theca (TC) and granulosa cells (GC) by QPCR and activin A and B and inhibin A protein levels in follicular fluid (FF) of developing sheep follicles during estrus and anestrus. The effect of activin B on androgen production from primary TC cultures in vitro was also assessed. During folliculogenesis, in anestrus and estrus, FF activin B concentrations and thecal and GC activin βB mRNA levels decreased as follicle diameter increased from 1–3 to >6 mm regardless of estrogenic status. Estrogenic preovulatory follicles had reduced concentrations of FF activins B and A, and TC and GCs expressed higher levels of activin βA mRNA at 3–4 mm, and TCs more inhibin α mRNA at >4 mm stages of development compared with nonestrogenic follicles. Activin B decreased androstenedione production from primary TCs in vitro, an effect blocked by inhibin A. Thus, sheep follicles 1–3 mm in diameter contained high FF levels of activin B, which decreased as the follicle size increased, and, like activin A, suppressed thecal androgen production in vitro, an effect blocked by inhibin. Furthermore, the theca of large estrogenic follicles expressed high levels of inhibin α and activin βA mRNA suggesting local thecal derived inhibin A production. This would inhibit the negative effects of thecal activins B and A ensuring maximum androgen production for enhanced estradiol production by the preovulatory follicle(s).

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Periovulatory Expression of Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Sulfiredoxin and Peroxiredoxin 2 in the Rat Ovary: Gonadotropin Regulation and Potential Modification

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2012-1414 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 153 (11) ◽

pp. 5512-5521 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Jae-Il Park ◽

Hye-Jeong Jeon ◽

Nak-Kyun Jung ◽

You-Jee Jang ◽

Jin-Seon Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽

Cumulus Cells ◽

H2o2 Production ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Peroxiredoxin 2 ◽

Antioxidant Agents ◽

Preovulatory Follicles

Abstract Reactive oxygen species are involved in ovulation. The aim of this study was to examine gonadotropin regulation of antioxidant enzyme sulfiredoxin (Srx) and peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) expressions and modification during the ovulatory process in rats. Administration of antioxidants in vivo reduced ovulation rate and cumulus expansion. LH treatment increased H2O2 levels within 15 min, which, in turn, induced Srx gene expression in cultured preovulatory follicles. Treatment of preovulatory follicles with catalase suppressed the stimulatory effect of LH on Akt phosphorylation. LH- or H2O2-stimulated Srx mRNA levels were suppressed by inhibitors of antioxidant agents and MAPK kinase. An in vivo injection of equine chorionic gonadotropin-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulated Srx mRNA within 1 h in granulosa but not thecal cells of preovulatory follicles. Srx protein levels were stimulated from 3 h post-hCG injection. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that oocytes expressed the Srx protein. Furthermore, hCG treatment increased Srx expression in mural granulosa, theca and cumulus cells, but the Srx protein was not detected in corpora lutea. Gene expression of PRDX2, identified as an Srx-dependent modified enzyme, was stimulated by gonadotropins. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated that PRDX2 mRNA was detected in oocytes and theca cells as well as granulosa cells of some antral and preovulatory follicles. High levels of PRDX2 mRNA were detected in corpora lutea. Total levels of PRDX2 protein were not changed by gonadotropins. However, levels of hyperoxidized PRDX2 increased within 2–3 h after the hCG injection. Taken together, gonadotropin stimulation of Srx expression and PRDX2 modification in the ovary suggest the existence of an antioxidant system to maintain H2O2 production and elimination during the periovulatory period.

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Amniotic IGF-I supplementation of growth-restricted fetal sheep alters IGF-I and IGF receptor type 1 mRNA and protein levels in placental and fetal tissues

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.1.06113 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 186 (1) ◽

pp. 145-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

S Shaikh ◽

F H Bloomfield ◽

M K Bauer ◽

H H Phua ◽

R S Gilmour ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Gestation ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Igf Binding Proteins ◽

Fetal Sheep ◽

Hepatic Expression ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Igf I ◽

Igf Receptor

We have previously reported that chronic intra-amniotic supplementation of the late gestation growth-restricted (IUGR) ovine fetus with IGF-I (20 μg/day) increased gut growth but reduced liver weight and circulating IGF-I concentrations. Here we report mRNA and protein levels of IGF-I, the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R) and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP)-1, -2 and -3 in fetal gut, liver, muscle and placenta from fetuses in that earlier study in an attempt to explain these contrasting results. mRNA and protein were extracted from tissues obtained at post mortem at 131 days of gestation (term, 145 days) from three groups of fetuses (control, IUGR+saline and IUGR+IGF-I, n=9 per group). Control fetuses were unembolised and untreated. In the IUGR groups, growth restriction was induced from 113 to 120 days by placental embolisation; from 120 to 130 days fetuses were treated with daily intra-amniotic injections of either saline or 20 μg IGF-I. mRNA was measured by RT-PCR or real-time RT-PCR, and protein by Western blot. In liver, muscle and placenta, IGF-I mRNA and protein levels were reduced by between 8 and 30% in IGF-I-treated fetuses compared with saline-treated fetuses and controls with no change in IGF-1R mRNA or protein levels. In contrast, in the gut, IGF-I mRNA and protein levels were not significantly altered with IGF-I treatment, but IGF-1R levels were increased, especially in the jejunum. Immunolocalisation demonstrated that IGF-1R expression was confined to the luminal aspect of the gut. mRNA levels of all three IGFBPs were reduced in the gut of IGF-I-treated fetuses, but hepatic expression was significantly increased. These data demonstrated tissue-specific regulation of IGF-I, IGF-1R and IGFBPs-1, -2 and -3 in response to intra-amniotic IGF-I supplementation, though the underlying mechanisms remain obscure.

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Is there an inflammatory stimulus to human term labour?

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0256545 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0256545

Author(s):

Natasha Singh ◽

Bronwen Herbert ◽

Garvin Sooranna ◽

Nishel M. Shah ◽

Ananya Das ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

P Value ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Inflammatory Stimulus ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Decidua Basalis ◽

Early Labour ◽

Transcription Factor Activation ◽

Term Labour

Inflammation is thought to play a pivotal role in the onset of term and some forms of preterm labour. Although, we recently found that myometrial inflammation is a consequence rather than a cause of term labour, there are several other reproductive tissues, including amnion, choriodecidua parietalis and decidua basalis, where the inflammatory stimulus to labour may occur. To investigate this, we have obtained amnion, choriodecidual parietalis and decidua basalis samples from women at various stages of pregnancy and spontaneous labour. The inflammatory cytokine profile in each tissue was determine by Bio-Plex Pro® cytokine multiplex assays and quantitative RT-PCR. Active motif assay was used to study transcription activation in the choriodecidua parietalis. Quantitative RT-PCR was use to study the pro-labour genes (PGHS-2, PGDH, OTR and CX43) in all of the tissues at the onset of labour and oxytocin (OT) mRNA expression in the choriodecidual parietalis and decidua basalis. Statistical significance was ascribed to a P value <0.05. In the amnion and choriodecidua parietalis, the mRNA levels of various cytokines decreased from preterm no labour to term no labour samples, but the protein levels were unchanged. The choriodecidua parietalis showed increase in the protein levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the term early labour samples. In the amnion and decidua basalis, the protein levels of several cytokines rose in term established labour. The multiples of the median derived from the 19-plex cytokine assay were greater in term early labour and term established labour samples from the choriodecidua parietalis, but only in term established labour for myometrium. These data suggest that the inflammatory stimulus to labour may begin in the choriodecidua parietalis, but the absence of any change in prolabour factor mRNA levels suggests that the cytokines may act on the myometrium where we observed changes in transcription factor activation and increases in prolabour gene expression in earlier studies.

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Insulin-like growth factors sustain insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 expression in osteoblasts

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.1998.275.2.e222 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 275 (2) ◽

pp. E222-E228

Author(s):

Bari Gabbitas ◽

Ernesto Canalis

Keyword(s):

Growth Factors ◽

Cell Function ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Bone Cell ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Basal Expression ◽

Fetal Rat ◽

Igf Binding ◽

Insulin Like Growth Factors

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) I and II are considered to be autocrine regulators of bone cell function. Recently, we demonstrated that IGF-I induces IGF-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) expression in cultures of osteoblast-enriched cells from 22-day fetal rat calvariae (Ob cells). In the present study, we postulated that IGFs play an autocrine role in the maintenance of IGFBP-5 basal expression in Ob cells. IGFBP-2 and -3, at concentrations that bind endogenous IGFs, decreased IGFBP-5 mRNA levels, as determined by Northern blot analysis, and protein levels, as determined by Western immunoblots of extracellular matrix extracts of Ob cells. IGFBP-2 and -3 in excess inhibited IGFBP-5 heterogeneous nuclear RNA levels, as determined by RT-PCR, and did not alter the half-life of IGFBP-5 mRNA in transcriptionally arrested Ob cells. In conclusion, blocking endogenous IGFs in Ob cells represses IGFBP-5 expression, suggesting that IGFs are autocrine inducers of IGFBP-5 synthesis in osteoblasts.

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Stimulation of iodide uptake by human chorionic gonadotropin in FRTL-5 cells: effects on sodium/iodide symporter gene and protein expression

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje.0.1470655 ◽

2002 ◽

pp. 655-661 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

F Arturi ◽

I Presta ◽

D Scarpelli ◽

JM Bidart ◽

M Schlumberger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Western Blot ◽

Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽

Blot Analysis ◽

Western Blot Analysis ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Iodide Uptake ◽

Protein Levels

BACKGROUND: Various clinical and experimental findings support the concept that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can stimulate iodide uptake in thyroid cells. DESIGN: We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of hCG on iodide uptake, and particularly its action on the expression of Na+/I- symporter (NIS) mRNA and protein. METHODS: Iodide uptake was analyzed in FTRL-5 cells by measuring (125)I concentrations in cells after a 30-min exposure to 0.1 microCi carrier-free Na (125)I in the presence or absence of hCG or, for control purposes, TSH. Expression of NIS mRNA and NIS protein synthesis were evaluated, respectively, with a semiquantitative 'multiplex' RT-PCR method and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Iodide uptake was increased by hCG in a dose- and time-dependent manner: maximal effects were observed after 72 h of stimulation. The effect was cAMP dependent and paralleled that of TSH, although it lacked the early cycloheximide-independent component seen with TSH, and its peak effect was lower. Semiquantitative multiplex RT-PCR revealed that hCG produced a significant increase in NIS mRNA levels that was detectable after 4 h and peaked after 48 h. In contrast, in TSH-stimulated FRTL-5 cells, maximum NIS mRNA expression was observed after 24 h of stimulation. Western blot analysis demonstrated that hCG also caused a 2.5-fold increase over basal values in NIS protein levels, which was similar to that observed after TSH stimulation although the peak effects of the latter hormone were less marked and occurred earlier. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that hCG stimulates iodide uptake in FRTL-5 cells by increasing NIS mRNA and protein levels. Thus, the functional status of the thyroid may be influenced by hCG-dependent changes in NIS expression occurring during pregnancy.

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203.Studies of the activin pathway in dominant and subordinate bovine follicles before, during and after selection

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/srb04abs203 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 203

Author(s):

B. C. Sisco ◽

A. N. Shelling ◽

P. L. Pfeffer

Keyword(s):

Feedback Loop ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Dominant Follicle ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Follicular Wave ◽

Follicular Size ◽

Quantitative Changes ◽

Follicle Selection ◽

Inhibin Subunits

In monovulatory species such as cattle, one of a cohort of developing follicles assumes dominancy and continues to grow in each follicular wave. After dominant follicle selection, pituitary-derived FSH levels decrease through a negative feedback loop mediated by oestradiol and inhibin A produced by the dominant follicle. The dominant follicle itself only requires very low basal levels of FSH, thus escaping atresia which is the fate of the subordinate follicles. The mechanisms involved in dominant follicle (DF) selection remain unclear. Most studies have focused on the stages following selection. To investigate what roles activin and inhibin play in DF selection we looked at the quantitative changes in the expression of the genes coding for the activin/inhibin subunits (Inhibin α, βA and βB) as well as other genes in the activin pathway (SMAD2, ActRIIA/B, follistatin (FST), FSHR). We examined mRNA levels in follicular granulosa cells (GCs) before (d1.5), during (d2.5) and after (d3.5 and 7) DF selection using real-time RT-PCR. Prior to DF selection, highest levels of inhibin βA, FST and SMAD2 transcripts converged on the largest follicles. Inhibin α, ActRIIA/B and FSHR levels did not correlate with follicular size at this stage. At Day 2.5, highest levels of inhibin βA, inhibin α, FST and SMAD2 transcripts were seen in a single putative DF. ActRIIA/B and FSHR did not show any difference between follicles. By Days 3.5 and 7, a dramatic difference in expression levels of inhibin βA, inhibin α and FST were seen in DF compared to SF. Yet in absolute terms inhibin βA levels decreased after selection, whereas inhibin α levels increased. Inhibin βB expression was only detected in Day 7 GCs and was significantly higher in the DF. These results suggest a shift from an activin environment during the pre and peri-DF selection period, to an inhibin environment following DF selection. Inhibin/activin protein levels in the follicular fluid using western ligand blotting confirmed this. We postulate that the higher activin activity within DF influences the selection mechanism as activin and inhibin have been shown to play a role in gonadotropin regulation in the ovary around the time of selection.

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