Immunological aspects of follicle ovulation and corpus luteum formation in cattle

Reproduction ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noof Abdulrahman Alrabiah ◽  
Alexander C O Evans ◽  
Alan G Fahey ◽  
Niamh Cantwell ◽  
Patrick Lonergan ◽  
...  

Ovulation has been described as an inflammatory event, characterized by an influx of leukocytes into the ovulatory follicle and changes in the expression of immune factors in both the theca and granulosa tissue layers. Since information on this process is limited in cattle, our objective was to elucidate the contribution of the immune system to dominant follicle luteinization, ovulation and corpus luteum formation in cattle. Beef heifers (n=50) were oestrous synchronized, slaughtered and ovarian follicular or luteal tissue collected during a 96h window around ovulation. Follicular fluid cytokine concentration, temporal immune cell infiltration and inflammatory status were determined by Luminex multiplex analysis, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real time PCR-analysis, respectively, in pre- and peri-ovulatory follicular tissues. The concentrations of CXCL10 and VEGF-A were highest in pre-ovulatory follicular fluid samples. The pre and peri -ovulatory follicles play host to a broad repertoire of immune cells, including T-cells, granulocytes and monocytes. Dendritic cells were the most abundant cells in ovulatory follicular and luteal -tissue at all times. The mRNA expression of candidate genes associated with inflammation was highest in pre- and peri-ovulatory tissue, whereas tissue growth and modelling factors were highest in the post-ovulatory follicular and early luteal tissue. In conclusion, ovulation in cattle is characterized by the presence of neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells in the ovulatory follicle, reflected in compartmentalized cytokine and growth factor expression. These findings indicate a tightly regulated sterile inflammatory response to the LH surge in the ovulatory follicle which is rapidly resolved during early corpus luteum formation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
N. A. Al Rabiah ◽  
A. C. O. Evans ◽  
J. McCormack ◽  
J. A. Browne ◽  
P. Lonergan ◽  
...  

Ovarian follicle ovulation and subsequent luteinization have been described as a controlled inflammatory event, comprising tissue damage and repair. To elaborate this further in cattle, the contribution of immune cells to dominant follicle luteinization, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation was investigated. Ovulation in beef heifers was synchronized using an 8-day progesterone-based synchronization program. Heifers were slaughtered at a local abattoir at 5 timepoints (T): (T1) 24h before ovulation (n=10); (T2) 2h before ovulation (n=9); (T3) 6h after ovulation (n=10); (T4) 24h after ovulation (n=10); (T5) 72h after ovulation (n=10), and ovarian tissue was collected and returned to the laboratory on ice. Follicular fluid, theca, granulosa, and corpus luteum (CL) tissues were recovered by dissection and processed for analysis. The concentrations of a panel of cytokines were measured using an antibody-conjugated magnetic bead immunoassay. The abundance of T-lymphocytes, mast cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells was determined by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA relative abundance of candidate genes, including angiogenic growth factors, adhesion factors, chemokines and cytokines, was determined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The resulting datasets were analysed using the linear mixed model procedure of SAS and data are presented as least squares means; reported differences were deemed significant at P≤0.05. The cytokines IFNy, IP-10, IL-10, IL-36RA, MCP-1, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, and VEGF-A were detected in follicular fluid. The concentrations (pg mL−1) of IL-10 and VEGF-A were significantly higher in T1 follicular fluid samples compared with T2 (7.70 vs. 0.86 and 2193.33 vs. 293.93, respectively). Although dendritic cells were the most abundant cells in bovine ovulatory follicular and early corpus luteum tissue at all time points (P<0.05), their numbers peaked in ovulatory (T2) thecal tissue (261.5 cells/mm2). The greatest number of neutrophils was identified in thecal tissue at T1 (45/mm2); thereafter, their numbers declined to 1.1/mm2 in CL tissue by T5. Similarly, the numbers of T-lymphocytes, mast cells, monocytes, and macrophages declined in CL tissue at T4 and T5. Candidate gene mRNA expression profiles appeared to be time- and tissue-specific; for example, IFNA was highest in the preovulatory granulosa tissue (T1), IL8 was highest in peri-ovulatory thecal tissue (T2), VEGFA and MMP9 were highest in the early CL tissue (T4 and T5), MMP1, TIMP1, and VCAM1 expression was highest in theca, granulosa, and CL tissue collected on or after ovulation (T2, T4, T5), expression of the prostaglandin-related genes PTGES and PTGS2 was lowest in CL tissue, and that of PTGIS was highest. The current findings support the hypothesis that ovulation in heifers is characterised by an initial proinflammatory cascade followed by a dramatic switch to tissue repair, growth, and remodelling, all occurring within a 72-h period and commencing with the LH surge. Our results highlight the roles of neutrophils, dendritic cells, and macrophages as the key actors in this process.


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 1039-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adva Cohen-Fredarow ◽  
Ari Tadmor ◽  
Tal Raz ◽  
Naama Meterani ◽  
Yoseph Addadi ◽  
...  

Ovulation and inflammation share common attributes, including immune cell invasion into the ovary. The present study aims at deciphering the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in ovulation and corpus luteum formation. Using a CD11c-EYFP transgenic mouse model, ovarian transplantation experiments, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses, we demonstrate that CD11c-positive, F4/80-negative cells, representing DCs, are recruited to the ovary under gonadotropin regulation. By conditional ablation of these cells in CD11c-DTR transgenic mice, we revealed that they are essential for expansion of the cumulus-oocyte complex, release of the ovum from the ovarian follicle, formation of a functional corpus luteum, and enhanced lymphangiogenesis. These experiments were complemented by allogeneic DC transplantation after conditional ablation of CD11c-positive cells that rescued ovulation. The pro-ovulatory effects of these cells were mediated by up-regulation of ovulation-essential genes. Interestingly, we detected a remarkable anti-inflammatory capacity of ovarian DCs, which seemingly serves to restrict the ovulatory-associated inflammation. In addition to discovering the role of DCs in ovulation, this study implies the extended capabilities of these cells, beyond their classic immunologic role, which is relevant also to other biological systems.


Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 665-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
JL Pate ◽  
P Landis Keyes

The corpus luteum produces progesterone, which is essential for the maintenance of pregnancy. In the absence of a viable embryo, the corpus luteum must regress rapidly to allow for development of new ovulatory follicles. In many species, luteal regression is initiated by uterine release of PGF(2alpha), which inhibits steroidogenesis and may launch a cascade of events leading to the ultimate demise of the tissue. Immune cells, primarily macrophages and T lymphocytes, are present in the corpus luteum, particularly at the time of luteolysis. The macrophages are important for ingestion of cellular remnants that result from the death of luteal cells. However, it has also been hypothesized that immune cells are involved directly in the destruction of luteal cells, as well as in the loss of steroidogenesis; this hypothesis is reviewed in the first part of this article. An alternative hypothesis is also presented, namely that immune cells serve to abate an inflammatory response generated by dead and dying luteal cells, in effect, preventing a response that would otherwise damage surrounding ovarian tissues. Finally, the changes in immune cells that accompany maternal recognition of pregnancy and rescue of the corpus luteum are discussed briefly. Inhibition of immune cells in the corpus luteum during early pregnancy may be due to embryonic or uterine signals, or to maintenance of high progesterone concentrations within the luteal tissue.


Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 623
Author(s):  
Casey C. Read ◽  
Lannett Edwards ◽  
Neal Schrick ◽  
Justin D. Rhinehart ◽  
Rebecca R. Payton ◽  
...  

Induced ovulation of small pre-ovulatory follicles reduced pregnancy rates, embryo survival, day seven embryo quality, and successful embryo cleavage in beef cows undergoing fixed-time artificial insemination. RNA-sequencing of oocytes and associated cumulus cells collected from pre-ovulatory follicles 23 h after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration to induce the pre-ovulatory gonadotropin surge suggested reduced capacity for glucose metabolism in cumulus cells of follicles ≤11.7 mm. We hypothesized that the follicular fluid metabolome influences metabolic capacity of the cumulus-oocyte complex and contributes to reduced embryo cleavage and quality grade observed following induced ovulation of small follicles. Therefore, we performed a study to determine the correlation between pre-ovulatory follicle diameter and follicular fluid metabolome profiles in lactating beef cows (Angus, n = 130). We synchronized the development of a pre-ovulatory follicle and collected the follicular contents approximately 20 h after GnRH administration. We then performed ultra-high performance liquid chromatography—high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) metabolomic studies on 43 follicular fluid samples and identified 38 metabolites within pre-ovulatory follicles of increasing size. We detected 18 metabolites with a significant, positive correlation to follicle diameter. Individual and pathway enrichment analysis of significantly correlated metabolites suggest that altered glucose and amino acid metabolism likely contribute to reduced developmental competence of oocytes when small pre-ovulatory follicles undergo induced ovulation.


1986 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firyal S. Khan-Dawood

Abstract. Immunoreactive oxytocin is detectable in the corpora lutea of women and cynomolgus monkeys by radioimmunoassay. To localize the presence of oxytocin and neurophysin I in ovarian tissues of subhuman primates, three corpora lutea and ovarian stromal tissues and two Fallopian tubes obtained during the menstrual cycle of the baboon and decidua from two pregnant baboons were examined using highly specific antisera against either oxytocin or neurophysin I and preoxidase-antiperoxidase light microscopy immunohistochemistry. Oxytocin-like as well as neurophysin I-like immunoreactivities were found in some cells of all the corpora lutea only, but could not be demonstrated in ovarian stromal tissues, Fallopian tubes and decidua. Specificity of the immunocytochemical reaction was further confirmed by immunoabsorption of the antiserum with excess oxytocin or neurophysin, after which the immunoreactivities for both oxytocin and neurophysin in the luteal tissue were negative. Similar controls using normal rabbit serum gave no positive staining for either oxytocin or neurophysin. Counterstaining of the positive immunoreactivities for oxytocin and neurophysin I with Mayer's haematoxylin and eosin demonstrated clearly that the oxytocin and neurophysin I appeared as granular material mainly within the cytoplasm of the luteal cells. The localization of immunoreactive oxytocin and neurophysin I in the corpus luteum of the baboon demonstrates directly the presence of these two neurohypophysial peptides within primate luteal cells and suggests their local production.


1960 ◽  
Vol XXXIII (III) ◽  
pp. 417-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Kristoffersen

ABSTRACT By means of chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods progesterone and a substance closely similar to 20β-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3-one has been detected in luteal tissue from non-pregnant and pregnant cows. In 21 animals quantitative measurements based on a method giving an average net recovery of 56 per cent showed that in pregnancy the average progesterone content in the corpus luteum reached a maximum in the third to fifth month, with low values before and after this period. For 6 nonpregnant cows, the average value was 20.2 μg/g tissue, which is considerably higher than previous values reported in the literature. The relation between these findings and the bovine dependence on a functional corpus luteum in pregnancy is discussed, and it is pointed out that more information about the metabolism of progesterone in cattle is highly desirable.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1118
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Alamri ◽  
Derek Fisk ◽  
Deepak Upreti ◽  
Sam K. P. Kung

Dendritic cells (DC) connect the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system and carry out numerous roles that are significant in the context of viral disease. Their functions include the control of inflammatory responses, the promotion of tolerance, cross-presentation, immune cell recruitment and the production of antiviral cytokines. Based primarily on the available literature that characterizes the behaviour of many DC subsets during Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we speculated possible mechanisms through which DC could contribute to COVID-19 immune responses, such as dissemination of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to lymph nodes, mounting dysfunctional inteferon responses and T cell immunity in patients. We highlighted gaps of knowledge in our understanding of DC in COVID-19 pathogenesis and discussed current pre-clinical development of therapies for COVID-19.


1990 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Hirst ◽  
G. E. Rice ◽  
G. Jenkin ◽  
G. D. Thorburn

ABSTRACT The effect of protein kinase C activation and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on oxytocin secretion by ovine luteal tissue slices was investigated. Several putative regulators of luteal oxytocin secretion were also examined. Oxytocin was secreted by luteal tissue slices at a basal rate of 234·4 ± 32·8 pmol/g per h (n = 24) during 60-min incubations.Activators of protein kinase C: phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (n = 8), phorbol 12-myristate,13-acetate (n = 4) and 1,2-didecanoylglycerol (n = 5), caused a dose-dependent stimulation of oxytocin secretion in the presence of a calcium ionophore (A23187; 0·2 μmol/l). Phospholipase C (PLC; 50–250 units/l) also caused a dose-dependent stimulation of oxytocin secretion by luteal slices. Phospholipase C-stimulated oxytocin secretion was potentiated by the addition of an inhibitor of diacylglycerol kinase (R59 022; n = 4). These data suggest that the activation of protein kinase C has a role in the stimulation of luteal oxytocin secretion. The results are also consistent with the involvement of protein kinase C in PLC-stimulated oxytocin secretion. The cyclic AMP second messenger system does not appear to be involved in the control of oxytocin secretion by the corpus luteum. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 124, 225–232


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Bernut ◽  
Catherine A. Loynes ◽  
R. Andres Floto ◽  
Stephen A. Renshaw

AbstractInflammation-related progressive lung destruction is the leading causes of premature death in cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. However, therapeutic targeting of inflammation has been hampered by a lack of understanding of the links between a dysfunctional CFTR and the deleterious innate immune response in CF. Herein, we used CFTR-depleted zebrafish larvae as an innovative in vivo vertebrate model, mimicking aspects of the inflammatory pathology of CF-related lung, to understand how CFTR dysfunction leads to abnormal inflammatory status in CF.We show that impaired CFTR-mediated inflammation correlates with an exuberant neutrophilic response after injury: CF zebrafish exhibit enhanced and sustained accumulation of neutrophils at wounds. Excessive epithelial oxidative responses drive enhanced neutrophil recruitment towards wounds. Persistence of neutrophils at inflamed sites is associated with impaired reverse migration of neutrophils and reduction in neutrophil apoptosis. As a consequence, the increased number of neutrophils at wound sites causes tissue damage and abnormal tissue repair. Importantly, the pro-resolution molecule Tanshinone IIA successfully re-balances inflammation both by accelerating inflammation resolution and by improving tissue repair in CFTR-deficient animal.Larval zebrafish giving a unique insight into innate immune cell function in CFTR deficiency, our findings bring important new understanding of the mechanisms underlying the inflammatory pathology in CF, which could be addressed therapeutically to prevent inflammatory lung damage in CF patients with potential improvements in disease outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Floris J. van Dalen ◽  
Thomas Bakkum ◽  
Tyrza van Leeuwen ◽  
Mirjam Groenewold ◽  
Edgar Deu ◽  
...  

Cathepsin S is a lysosomal cysteine protease highly expressed in immune cells such as dendritic cells, B cells and macrophages. Its functions include extracellular matrix breakdown and cleavage of cell adhesion molecules to facilitate immune cell motility, as well as cleavage of the invariant chain during maturation of major histocompatibility complex II. The identification of these diverse specific functions has brought the challenge of delineating cathepsin S activity with great spatial precision, relative to related enzymes and substrates. Here, the development of a potent and highly selective two-step activity-based probe for cathepsin S and the application in multicolor bio-orthogonal correlative light-electron microscopy is presented. LHVS, which has been reported as a selective inhibitor of cathepsin S with nanomolar potency, formed the basis for our probe design. However, in competitive activity-based protein profiling experiments LHVS showed significant cross-reactivity toward Cat L. Introduction of an azide group in the P2 position expanded the selectivity window for cathepsin S, but rendered the probe undetectable, as demonstrated in bio-orthogonal competitive activity-based protein profiling. Incorporation of an additional azide handle for click chemistry on the solvent-exposed P1 position allowed for selective labeling of cathepsin S. This highlights the influence of click handle positioning on probe efficacy. This probe was utilized in multicolor bio-orthogonal confocal and correlative light-electron microscopy to investigate the localization of cathepsin S activity at an ultrastructural level in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. The tools developed in this study will aid the characterization of the variety of functions of cathepsin S throughout biology.


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