|
1
|
Zhang X, Wei Y, Li X, Li C, Zhang L, Liu Z, Cao Y, Li W, Zhang X, Zhang J, Shen M, Liu H. The Corticosterone–Glucocorticoid Receptor–AP1/CREB Axis Inhibits the Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Expression in Mouse Granulosa Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012454. [PMID: 36293309 PMCID: PMC9604301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Under stress conditions, luteinizing hormone (LH)-mediated ovulation is inhibited, resulting in insufficient oocyte production and excretion during follicular development. When the body is stressed, a large amount of corticosterone (CORT) is generated, which will lead to a disorder of the body’s endocrine system and damage to the body. Our previous work showed that CORT can block follicular development in mice. Since LH acts through binding with the luteinizing hormone receptor (Lhcgr), the present study aimed to investigate whether and how corticosterone (CORT) influences Lhcgr expression in mouse ovarian granulosa cells (GCs). For this purpose, three-week-old ICR female mice were injected intraperitoneally with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). In addition, the treatment group was injected with CORT (1 mg/mouse) at intervals of 8 h and the control group was injected with the same volume of methyl sulfoxide (DMSO). GCs were collected at 24 h, 48 h, and 55 h after PMSG injection. For in vitro experiments, the mouse GCs obtained from healthy follicles were treated with CORT alone, or together with inhibitors against the glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1). The results showed that the CORT caused a downregulation of Lhcgr expression in GCs, which was accompanied by impaired cell viability. Moreover, the effect of the CORT was mediated by binding to its receptor (Nr3c1) in GCs. Further investigation revealed that Nr3c1 might regulate the transcription of Lhcgr through inhibiting the expression of Lhcgr transcription factors, including AP1 and Creb. Taken together, our findings suggested a possible mechanism of CORT-induced anovulation involving the inhibition of Lhcgr expression in GCs by the CORT–Nr3c1–AP1/Creb axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yinghui Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chengyu Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Liangliang Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhaojun Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yan Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Weijian Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jiaqing Zhang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Ming Shen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (H.L.)
| | - Honglin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (H.L.)
| |
Collapse
|