HDAC1 participates in polycystic ovary syndrome through histone modification to regulate H19/miR-29a-3p/NLRP3-mediated granulosa cell pyroptosis

Role of programmed cell death in mammalian ovarian follicular atresia

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental process in the development process of organisms, including apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. In mammalian ovaries, 99 % of follicles undergo atresia, while only 1 % mature and ovulate, which limits the reproductive efficiency of mammals. The PCD process is closely related to the regulation of follicle development and atresia. Recently, an increasing number of studies have reported that autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis of PCD are involved in regulating granulosa cell apoptosis and follicular atresia. Granulosa cell apoptosis is a hallmark of follicular atresia. Therefore, an understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating PCD events is required for future advances in the diagnosis and management of various disorders of follicular atresia. This review summarizes recent work on apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis of PCD that affect granulosa cell survival and follicular atresia, and further elucidating the mechanisms of follicular atresia and providing new directions for improving the reproductive capacity of humans and animals.

Whispers of the polycystic ovary syndrome theater: Directing role of long noncoding RNAs

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine disorder that implicates a spectrum of clinical manifestations, including hormonal imbalance, metabolic dysfunction, and even compromised ovarian granulosa cell (GC) activity. The underlying molecular mechanisms of PCOS remain elusive, presenting a significant barrier to effective diagnosis and treatment. This review delves into the emerging role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathophysiology of PCOS, articulating their intricate interactions with mRNAs, microRNAs, and other epigenetic regulators that collectively influence the hormonal and metabolic milieu of PCOS. We examine the dynamic regulatory networks orchestrated by lncRNAs that impact GC function, steroidogenesis, insulin resistance, and inflammatory pathways. By integrating findings from recent studies, we illuminate the potential of lncRNAs as biomarkers for PCOS and highlight their contribution to the disorder, offering a detailed perspective on the lncRNA-mediated modulation of gene expression and pathogenic pathways. Understanding targeted lncRNA interactions with PCOS proposes novel avenues for therapeutic intervention to ameliorate the reproductive and metabolic disturbances characteristic of the syndrome.

Circ_0036490 and DKK1 competitively bind miR-29a to promote lipopolysaccharides-induced human gingival fibroblasts injury

MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a regulatory role in periodontitis. This study aimed to explore whether miR-29a could affect lipopolysaccharides (LPSs)-induced injury in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) through the competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) mechanism. Periodontal ligament (PDL) tissues and HGFs were derived from patients with periodontitis and healthy volunteers. Periodontitis cell model was established by treating HGFs with LPS. Expression levels of circ_0036490, miR-29a, and DKK1 were evaluated by the reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) method. Western blotting assay was performed to assess protein expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins and Wnt signalling related proteins. Cell viability was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Concentration of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pyroptosis rate were determined by flow cytometry assay to evaluate pyroptosis. The interaction between miR-29a and circ_0036490 or DKK1 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. MiR-29a expression was lower in PDL tissues of patients with periodontitis than that in healthy group; likewise, miR-29a was also downregulated in LPS-treated HGFs. Overexpression of miR-29a increased cell viability and decreased pyroptosis of HGFs induced by LPS while inhibition of miR-29a exerted the opposite role. MiR-29a binds to circ_0036490 and elevation of circ_0036490 contributed to dysfuntion of LPS-treated HGFs and reversed the protection function of elevated miR-29a. In addition, miR-29a targets DKK1. Overexpression of DKK1 abrogated the effects of overexpressed miR-29a on cell vaibility, pyroptosis, and protein levels of Wnt signalling pathway of LPS-treated HGFs. Circ_0036490 and DKK1 competitively bind miR-29a to promote LPS-induced HGF injury in vitro. Wnt pathway inactivated by LPS was activated by miR-29a. Thence, miR-29a may be a promising target for periodontitis.

SESN2 Ameliorates Dihydrotestosterone-induced Human Ovarian Granulosa Cell Damage by Activating AMPK/ULK1-mediated Mitophagy

Sestrin 2 (SESN2) has been reported to participate in the regulation of granulosa cell function in ovarian tissues. However, the role of SESN2 in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is still incompletely understood. Here, we investigated the functional role and mechanism of SESN2 in dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced granulosa cells. In this study, DHT was utilized to induce PCOS cell model and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor Compound C (CC) was utilized to inhibit the AMPK pathway. qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of SESN2 in HGLS cells. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Oxidative stress was detected by DCFH-DA staining, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) kits. The expression of SESN2, cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitophagy and AMPK/ULK1 signaling-related proteins were measured by western blot. The results showed that SESN2 was downregulated in DHT-induced granulosa cells. Overexpression of SESN2 inhibited the DHT-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress of HGLS cells. DHT induction aggravated HGLS cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. SESN2 overexpression inhibited the DHT-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress of HGLS cells. In addition, overexpression of SESN2 activated the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway and promoted mitophagy. Treatment of CC reversed the regulatory effect of SESN2 on mitophagy. CC also reversed the influences of SESN2 overexpression on apoptosis and oxidative stress in DHT-induced HGLS cells. Overall, SESN2 suppressed DHT-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in PCOS through AMPK/ULK1-mediated mitophagy.

Inducers and Inhibitors of Pyroptotic Death of Granulosa Cells in Models of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Granulosa cells (GCs), the largest cell population and primary source of steroid hormones in the ovary, are the important somatic ovarian components. They have critical roles in folliculogenesis by supporting oocyte, facilitating its growth, and providing a microenvironment suitable for follicular development and oocyte maturation, thus having essential functions in maintaining female fertility and in reproductive health in general. Pyroptotic death of GCs and associated inflammation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several reproductive disorders in females including Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Here, I reviewed factors, either intrinsic or extrinsic, that induce or inhibit pyroptosis in GCs in various models of these disorders, both in vitro and in vivo, and also covered associated molecular mechanisms. Most of these studied factors influence NLRP3 inflammasome- and GSDMD (Gasdermin D)-mediated pyroptosis in GCs, compared to other inflammasomes and gasdermins (GSDMs). I conclude that a more complete mechanistic understanding of these factors in terms of GC pyroptosis is required to be able to develop novel strategies targeting inflammatory cell death in the ovary.

Genetic and Epigenetic Landscape for Drug Development in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) faces challenges as all known treatments are merely symptomatic. The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drug specifically for treating PCOS. As the significance of genetics and epigenetics rises in drug development, their pivotal insights have greatly enhanced the efficacy and success of drug target discovery and validation, offering promise for guiding the advancement of PCOS treatments. In this context, we outline the genetic and epigenetic advancement in PCOS, which provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of this complex disease. We also delve into the prospective method for harnessing genetic and epigenetic strategies to identify potential drug targets and ensure target safety. Additionally, we shed light on the preliminary evidence and distinctive challenges associated with gene and epigenetic therapies in the context of PCOS.

Role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in gynecological disease

The NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is involved in the innate immune system and is a three-part macromolecular complex comprising the NLRP3 protein, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and the cysteine protease pro-caspase-1. When the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated, it can produce interleukin (IL)- 1β and IL-18 and eventually lead to inflammatory cell pyroptosis. Related studies have demonstrated that the NLRP3 inflammasome can induce an immune response and is related to the occurrence and development of gynecological diseases, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and breast cancer. NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors are beneficial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and tissue health and have been found effective in targeting some gynecological diseases. However, excessive inhibitor concentrations have been found to cause adverse effects. Therefore, proper control of NLRP3 inflammasome activity is critical. This paper summarizes the structure and function of the NLRP3 inflammasome and highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting it in gynecological diseases, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and breast cancer The application of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors is also discussed.

Down-regulation of Lon protease 1 lysine crotonylation aggravates mitochondrial dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent reproductive endocrine disorder, with metabolic abnormalities and ovulation disorders. The post-translational modifications (PTMs) are functionally relevant and strengthen the link between metabolism and cellular functions. Lysine crotonylation is a newly identified PTM, the function of which in PCOS has not yet been reported. To explore the molecular mechanisms of crotonylation involved in the abnormalities of metabolic homeostasis and oocyte maturation in PCOS, by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, we constructed a comprehensive map of crotonylation modifications in ovarian tissue of PCOS-like mouse model established by dehydroepiandrosterone induction. The crotonylation levels of proteins involved in metabolic processes were significantly decreased in PCOS ovaries compared to control samples. Further investigation showed that decrotonylation of Lon protease 1 (LONP1) at lysine 390 was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in PCOS. Moreover, LONP1 crotonylation levels in PCOS were correlated with ovarian tissue oxidative stress levels, androgen levels, and oocyte development. Consistently, down-regulation of LONP1 and LONP1 crotonylation levels were also observed in the blood samples of PCOS patients. Collectively, our study revealed a mechanism by which the decrotonylation of LONP1 may attenuate its activity and alter follicular microenvironment to affect oocyte maturation in PCOS.