scholarly journals Interleukin-6: An Autocrine Regulator of the Mouse Cumulus Cell-Oocyte Complex Expansion Process

Endocrinology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 150 (7) ◽  
pp. 3360-3368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhilin Liu ◽  
Daniel G. de Matos ◽  
Heng-Yu Fan ◽  
Masayuki Shimada ◽  
Stephen Palmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Janus Kinase ◽  
Oocyte Competence ◽  
Immune Genes

Ovulation has long been regarded as a process resembling an inflammatory response. Recent studies indicate that genes associated with innate immune responses were also expressed during the ovulation process. Because the innate immune genes are induced in cumulus cell oocyte complexes (COCs) later than the inflammation-associated genes, we hypothesize that COC expansion is dependent on specific sequential changes in cumulus cells. Because IL-6 is a potent mediator of immune responses, we sought to determine what factors regulate the induction of Il6 mRNA in COCs and what impact IL-6 alone would have on COC expansion. We found that the levels of Il6 mRNA increased dramatically during COC expansion, both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, IL-6, together with its soluble receptor (IL-6SR), could bypass the need for either amphiregulin and/or prostaglandin E2 to induce the expansion of COCs. This ability of IL-6/IL-6SR to induce COC expansion was blocked by the inhibitors to p38MAPK, MAPK kinase 1/2, and Janus kinase. More importantly, when COCs were in vitro maturated in the presence of IL-6, they had a significantly higher embryo transfer rate than the ones without IL-6 and comparable with in vivo matured oocytes. IL-6/IL-6SR activated multiple signaling pathways (Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and AKT) and progressively induced genes known to impact COC expansion, genes related to inflammation and immune responses, and some transcription factors. Collectively, these data indicate that IL-6 alone can act as a potent autocrine regulator of ovarian cumulus cell function, COC expansion, and oocyte competence.

scholarly journals Microarray analysis of mRNA from cumulus cells following in vivo or in vitro maturation of mouse cumulus–oocyte complexes

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Kind ◽  
Kelly M. Banwell ◽  
Kathryn M. Gebhardt ◽  
Anne Macpherson ◽  
Ashley Gauld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microarray Analysis ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Oocyte Competence

The IVM of mammalian cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) yields reduced oocyte developmental competence compared with oocytes matured in vivo. Altered cumulus cell function during IVM is implicated as one cause for this difference. We have conducted a microarray analysis of cumulus cell mRNA following IVM or in vivo maturation (IVV). Mouse COCs were sourced from ovaries of 21-day-old CBAB6F1 mice 46 h after equine chorionic gonadotrophin (5 IU, i.p.) or from oviducts following treatment with 5 IU eCG (61 h) and 5 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (13 h). IVM was performed in α-Minimal Essential Medium with 50 mIU FSH for 17 h. Three independent RNA samples were assessed using the Affymetrix Gene Chip Mouse Genome 430 2.0 array (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA). In total, 1593 genes were differentially expressed, with 811 genes upregulated and 782 genes downregulated in IVM compared with IVV cumulus cells; selected genes were validated by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Surprisingly, haemoglobin α (Hba-a1) was highly expressed in IVV relative to IVM cumulus cells, which was verified by both RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Because haemoglobin regulates O2 and/or nitric oxide availability, we postulate that it may contribute to regulation of these gases during the ovulatory period in vivo. These data will provide a useful resource to determine differences in cumulus cell function that are possibly linked to oocyte competence.

scholarly journals Failure to launch: aberrant cumulus gene expression during oocyte in vitro maturation

Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. R109-R120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah M Brown ◽  
Kylie R Dunning ◽  
Melanie Sutton-McDowall ◽  
Robert B Gilchrist ◽  
Jeremy G Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Oocyte Competence ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence ◽  
Growth Factor Signalling

In vitro maturation (IVM) offers significant benefits for human infertility treatment and animal breeding, but this potential is yet to be fully realised due to reduced oocyte developmental competence in comparison with in vivo matured oocytes. Cumulus cells occupy an essential position in determining oocyte developmental competence. Here we have examined the areas of deficient gene expression, as determined within microarrays primarily from cumulus cells of mouse COCs, but also other species, between in vivo matured and in vitro matured oocytes. By retrospectively analysing the literature, directed by focussing on downregulated genes, we provide an insight as to why the in vitro cumulus cells fail to support full oocyte potential and dissect molecular pathways that have important roles in oocyte competence. We conclude that the roles of epidermal growth factor signalling, the expanded extracellular matrix, cumulus cell metabolism and the immune system are critical deficiencies in cumulus cells of IVM COCs.

scholarly journals GENETIC CONTROL OF IMMUNE RESPONSES IN VITRO

1974 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 648-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith A. Kapp ◽  
Carl W. Pierce ◽  
Stuart Schlossman ◽  
Baruj Benacerraf
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Suppressor Cells ◽  
Specific Response ◽  
Spleen Cells ◽  
X Irradiation

In recent studies we have found that GAT not only fails to elicit a GAT-specific response in nonresponder mice but also specifically decreases the ability of nonresponder mice to develop a GAT-specific PFC response to a subsequent challenge with GAT bound to the immunogenic carrier, MBSA. Studies presented in this paper demonstrate that B cells from nonresponder, DBA/1 mice rendered unresponsive by GAT in vivo can respond in vitro to GAT-MBSA if exogenous, carrier-primed T cells are added to the cultures. The unresponsiveness was shown to be the result of impaired carrier-specific helper T-cell function in the spleen cells of GAT-primed mice. Spleen cells from GAT-primed mice specifically suppressed the GAT-specific PFC response of spleen cells from normal DBA/1 mice incubated with GAT-MBSA. This suppression was prevented by pretreatment of GAT-primed spleen cells with anti-θ serum plus C or X irradiation. Identification of the suppressor cells as T cells was confirmed by the demonstration that suppressor cells were confined to the fraction of the column-purified lymphocytes which contained θ-positive cells and a few non-Ig-bearing cells. The significance of these data to our understanding of Ir-gene regulation of the immune response is discussed.

188 IMPROVEMENT OF IN VITRO CANINE OOCYTE MATURATION BY OVIDUCTAL SECRETOME

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lange-Consiglio ◽  
C. Perrini ◽  
P. Esposti ◽  
F. Cremonesi
Keyword(s):  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cell Layers ◽  
Hoechst Staining

The in vitro maturation of canine oocyte is problematic because it is difficult to reproduce the oviducal microenvironment where the in vivo maturation occurs. Because cells are able to communicate with each other by paracrine action, oviducal cells could be in vitro cultivated to obtain the conditioned medium (CM) consisting of soluble factors and microvesicles (MV), which represent a carrier for nonsoluble molecules including microRNA. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of the addition of CM or MV, secreted by oviducal cells, to the canine in vitro maturation medium. To generate CM, cells from oviducts of 3 animals in late oestrus were cultured for 5 days at 38.5°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2. Supernatants were collected, pooled, centrifuged at 2500 × g, and stored at −80°C. Microvesicles were obtained by ultracentrifugation of CM at 100,000 × g for 1 h at 4°C and measured for concentration and size by a Nanosight instrument. Ovaries were obtained from 50 healthy domestic bitches (1–4 years old) of different breeds that underwent ovariectomy regardless of the oestrous cycle. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were released by slicing the ovarian cortex with a scalpel blade, and only Grade 1 cumulus-oocyte complexes (darkly granulated cytoplasm and surrounded by 3 or more compact cumulus cell layers) 110 to 120 µm in diameter were selected for culture. Maturation was performed at 38.5°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 5% of O2 in bi-phasic systems: 24 h in SOF with 5.0 μg mL−1 of LH followed by 48 h in SOF supplemented with 10% of oestrous bitch serum and 10% CM or 50, 75, 100, or 150 × 106 MV mL−1 labelled with PKH-26. Control was the same medium without CM or MV. Oocytes were observed under a fluorescent microscope to detect metaphase II (MII), by Hoechst staining, and the incorporation of MV. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square test. Results show that canine oviducal cells secreted MV of 234 ± 23 nm in size, underling that these MV fall within the shedding vesicles category. The incorporation of labelled MV occurred at first in cumulus cells, at 48 h of maturation, and then, at 72 h, in oocyte cytoplasm. These MV had a positive effect on maturation rate (MII) at the concentration of 75 and 100 × 106 MV mL−1 compared with CM and control (20.34 and 21.82 v. 9.09 and 3.95%, respectively). The concentration of 150 × 106 MV mL−1 provided only 9.26% of MII. To understand the role of MV, we assessed the expression of 3 microRNA (miRNA-30b, miR-375, and miR-503) that are involved in some key pathways (WNT, MAPK, ERbB, and TGFβ) regulating follicular development and meiotic resumption. The lower rate of MII with the higher concentration of MV is possibly due to the high level of miR-375, which recent literature shows to suppress the TGFβ pathway, leading to impaired oocyte maturation. In conclusion, the oviducal MV, or specific microRNA, are involved in cellular trafficking during oocyte maturation, and their possible use in vitro could facilitate the exploitation of canine reproductive biotechnologies.

scholarly journals High-Resolution Profiling of Innate Immune Responses by Porcine Dendritic Cell Subsets in vitro and in vivo

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaël Auray ◽  
Stephanie C. Talker ◽  
Irene Keller ◽  
Sylvie Python ◽  
Markus Gerber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cell ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Innate Immune Responses ◽  
Dendritic Cell Subsets

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

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.

Alterations in the cell cycle of mouse cumulus granulosa cells during expansion and mucification in vivo and in vitro

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 935 ◽  
Author(s):  
AW Schuetz ◽  
DG Whittingham ◽  
R Snowden
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Dna Content ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
S Phase

The cell cycle characteristics of mouse cumulus granulosa cells were determined before, during and following their expansion and mucification in vivo and in vitro. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were recovered from ovarian follicles or oviducts of prepubertal mice previously injected with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) or a mixture of PMSG and human chorionic gonadotrophin (PMSG+hCG) to synchronize follicle differentiation and ovulation. Cell cycle parameters were determined by monitoring DNA content of cumulus cell nuclei, collected under rigorously controlled conditions, by flow cytometry. The proportion of cumulus cells in three cell cycle-related populations (G0/G1; S; G2/M) was calculated before and after exposure to various experimental conditions in vivo or in vitro. About 30% of cumulus cells recovered from undifferentiated (compact) COC isolated 43-45 h after PMSG injections were in S phase and 63% were in G0/G1 (2C DNA content). Less than 10% of the cells were in the G2/M population. Cell cycle profiles of cumulus cells recovered from mucified COC (oviducal) after PMSG+hCG-induced ovulation varied markedly from those collected before hCG injection and were characterized by the relative absence of S-phase cells and an increased proportion of cells in G0/G1. Cell cycle profiles of cumulus cells collected from mucified COC recovered from mouse ovarian follicles before ovulation (9-10 h after hCG) were also characterized by loss of S-phase cells and an increased G0/G1 population. Results suggest that changes in cell cycle parameters in vivo are primarily mediated in response to physiological changes that occur in the intrafollicular environment initiated by the ovulatory stimulus. A similar lack of S-phase cells was observed in mucified cumulus cells collected 24 h after exposure in vitro of compact COC to dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (DBcAMP), follicle-stimulating hormone or epidermal growth factor (EGF). Additionally, the proportion of cumulus cells in G2/M was enhanced in COC exposed to DBcAMP, suggesting that cell division was inhibited under these conditions. Thus, both the G1-->S-phase and G2-->M-phase transitions in the cell cycle appear to be amenable to physiological regulation. Time course studies revealed dose-dependent changes in morphology occurred within 6 h of exposure in vitro of COC to EGF or DBcAMP. Results suggest that the disappearance of the S-phase population is a consequence of a decline in the number of cells beginning DNA synthesis and exit of cells from the S phase following completion of DNA synthesis. Furthermore, loss of proliferative activity in cumulus cells appears to be closely associated with COC expansion and mucification, whether induced under physiological conditions in vivo or in response to a range of hormonal stimuli in vitro. The observations indicate that several signal-transducing pathways mediate changes in cell cycle parameters during cumulus cell differentiation.

scholarly journals Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans Regulate Responses to Oocyte Paracrine Signals in Ovarian Follicle Morphogenesis

Endocrinology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (9) ◽  
pp. 4544-4555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura N. Watson ◽  
David G. Mottershead ◽  
Kylie R. Dunning ◽  
Rebecca L. Robker ◽  
Robert B. Gilchrist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Heparan Sulphate ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Distinct Cell ◽  
Heparan Sulphate Proteoglycans

In the ovarian follicle, oocyte-secreted factors induce cumulus-specific genes and repress mural granulosa cell specific genes to establish these functionally distinct cell lineages. The mechanism establishing this precise morphogenic pattern of oocyte signaling within the follicle is unknown. The present study investigated a role for heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPG) as coreceptors mediating oocyte secreted factor signaling. In vitro maturation of cumulus oocyte complexes in the presence of exogenous heparin, which antagonizes HSPG signaling, prevented cumulus expansion and blocked the induction of cumulus-specific matrix genes, Has2 and Tnfaip6, whereas conversely, the mural granulosa-specific genes, Lhcgr and Cyp11a1, were strongly up-regulated. Heparin also blocked phosphorylation of SMAD2. Exogenous growth differentiation factor (GDF)-9 reversed these heparin effects; furthermore, GDF9 strongly bound to heparin sepharose. These observations indicate that heparin binds endogenous GDF9 and disrupts interaction with heparan sulphate proteoglycan coreceptor(s), important for GDF9 signaling. The expression of candidate HSPG coreceptors, Syndecan 1–4, Glypican 1–6, and Betaglycan, was examined. An ovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotropin down-regulated Betaglycan in cumulus cells, and this regulation required GDF9 activity; conversely, Betaglycan was significantly increased in luteinizing mural granulosa cells. Human chorionic gonadotropin caused very strong induction of Syndecan 1 and Syndecan 4 in mural granulosa as well as cumulus cells. Glypican 1 was selectively induced in cumulus cells, and this expression appeared dependent on GDF9 action. These data suggest that HSPG play an essential role in GDF9 signaling and are involved in the patterning of oocyte signaling and cumulus cell function in the periovulatory follicle.

194 A Non-Gluten Component of Wheat is a Strong Stimulator of Innate Immune Responses In Vitro and In Vivo and Acts via Toll Like Receptor 4

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
pp. S-36
Author(s):  
Yvonne Junker ◽  
Donatella Barisani ◽  
Daniel A. Leffler ◽  
Towia Libermann ◽  
Simon T. Dillon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Innate Immune Responses ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 4

scholarly journals Adenovirus capsid-display of the retro-oriented human complement inhibitor DAF reduces Ad vector–triggered immune responses in vitro and in vivo

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (10) ◽  
pp. 1669-1677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey S. Seregin ◽  
Yasser A. Aldhamen ◽  
Daniel M. Appledorn ◽  
Zachary C. Hartman ◽  
Nathaniel J. Schuldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Complement Inhibitor ◽  
Human Complement ◽  
Endothelial Cell Activation ◽  
Capsid Display

Abstract Adenovirus (Ad) vectors are widely used in human clinical trials. However, at higher dosages, Ad vector–triggered innate toxicities remain a major obstacle to many applications. Ad interactions with the complement system significantly contribute to innate immune responses in several models of Ad-mediated gene transfer. We constructed a novel class of Ad vectors, genetically engineered to “capsid-display” native and retro-oriented versions of the human complement inhibitor decay-accelerating factor (DAF), as a fusion protein from the C-terminus of the Ad capsid protein IX. In contrast to conventional Ad vectors, DAF-displaying Ads dramatically minimized complement activation in vitro and complement-dependent immune responses in vivo. DAF-displaying Ads did not trigger thrombocytopenia, minimized endothelial cell activation, and had diminished inductions of proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine responses. The retro-oriented display of DAF facilitated the greatest improvements in vivo, with diminished activation of innate immune cells, such as dendritic and natural killer cells. In conclusion, Ad vectors can capsid-display proteins in a manner that not only retains the functionality of the displayed proteins but also potentially can be harnessed to improve the efficacy of this important gene transfer platform for numerous gene transfer applications.

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