Changes in keratin 8/18 expression in human granulosa cell lineage are associated to cell death/survival events: potential implications for the maintenance of the ovarian reserve

Anticancer effects of Erzhimaoling decoction in high-grade serous ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is a common gynecologic malignancy with a poor prognosis. The traditional Chinese medicine formula Erzhimaoling decoction (EZMLD) has anticancer potential. This study aims to elucidate the anticancer effects of EZMLD on HGSOC in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

EZMLD-containing serum was prepared from Sprague-Dawley rats for treating SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells at varying concentrations for 24 h and 48 h to determine the IC50. Concentrations of 0%, 5%, and 10% for 24 h were chosen for subsequent in vitro experiments. The roles of METTL3 and METTL14 in SKOV3 cells were explored by overexpressing these genes and combining EZMLD with METTL3/14 knockdown. Investigations focused on cell viability and apoptosis, apoptosis-related protein expression, and KRT8 mRNA m6A modification. For in vivo studies, 36 BALB/c nude mice were divided into six groups involving EZMLD (6.75, 13.5, and 27 g/kg) and METTL3 or METTL14 knockdowns, with daily EZMLD gavage for two weeks.

RESULTS

In vitro, EZMLD-containing serum had IC50 values of 8.29% at 24 h and 5.95% at 48 h in SKOV3 cells. EZMLD-containing serum decreased SKOV3 cell viability and increased apoptosis. EZMLD upregulated METTL3/14 and FAS-mediated apoptosis proteins, while downregulating Keratin 8 (KRT8). EZMLD increased KRT8 mRNA m6A methylation. METTL3/14 overexpression reduced SKOV3 cell viability and increased apoptosis, while METTL3/14 knockdown mitigated EZMLD's effects. In vivo, EZMLD suppressed SKOV3 xenografts growth, causing significant apoptosis and modulating protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

EZMLD has therapeutic potential for ovarian cancer and may be considered for other cancer types. Future research may explore its broader effects beyond cell apoptosis.

Structural variant landscapes reveal convergent signatures of evolution in sheep and goats

BACKGROUND

Sheep and goats have undergone domestication and improvement to produce similar phenotypes, which have been greatly impacted by structural variants (SVs). Here, we report a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of Asiatic mouflon, and implement a comprehensive analysis of SVs in 897 genomes of worldwide wild and domestic populations of sheep and goats to reveal genetic signatures underlying convergent evolution.

RESULTS

We characterize the SV landscapes in terms of genetic diversity, chromosomal distribution and their links with genes, QTLs and transposable elements, and examine their impacts on regulatory elements. We identify several novel SVs and annotate corresponding genes (e.g., BMPR1B, BMPR2, RALYL, COL21A1, and LRP1B) associated with important production traits such as fertility, meat and milk production, and wool/hair fineness. We detect signatures of selection involving the parallel evolution of orthologous SV-associated genes during domestication, local environmental adaptation, and improvement. In particular, we find that fecundity traits experienced convergent selection targeting the gene BMPR1B, with the DEL00067921 deletion explaining ~10.4% of the phenotypic variation observed in goats.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide new insights into the convergent evolution of SVs and serve as a rich resource for the future improvement of sheep, goats, and related livestock.

Deconvolution at the single-cell level reveals ovarian cell-type-specific transcriptomic changes in PCOS

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reproductive endocrine disorders in females of childbearing age. Various types of ovarian cells work together to maintain normal reproductive function, whose discordance often takes part in the development and progression of PCOS. Understanding the cellular heterogeneity and compositions of ovarian cells would provide insight into PCOS pathogenesis, but are, however, not well understood. Transcriptomic characterization of cells isolated from PCOS cases have been assessed using bulk RNA-seq but cells isolated contain a mixture of many ovarian cell types.

METHODS

Here we utilized the reference scRNA-seq data from human adult ovaries to deconvolute and estimate cell proportions and dysfunction of ovarian cells in PCOS, by integrating various granulosa cells(GCs) transcriptomic data.

RESULTS

We successfully defined 22 distinct cell clusters of human ovarian cells. Then after transcriptome integration, we obtained a gene expression matrix with 13,904 genes within 30 samples (15 control vs. 15 PCOS). Subsequent deconvolution analysis revealed decreased proportion of small antral GCs and increased proportion of KRT8high mural GCs, HTRA1high cumulus cells in PCOS, especially increased differentiation from small antral GCs to KRT8high mural GCs. For theca cells, the abundance of internal theca cells (TCs) and external TCs was both increased. Less TCF21high stroma cells (SCs) and more STARhigh SCs were observed. The proportions of NK cells and monocytes were decreased, and T cells occupied more in PCOS and communicated stronger with inTCs and exTCs. In the end, we predicted the candidate drugs which could be used to correct the proportion of ovarian cells in patients with PCOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, this study provides insights into the molecular alterations and cellular compositions in PCOS ovarian tissue. The findings might contribute to our understanding of PCOS pathophysiology and offer resource for PCOS basic research.

Melatonin Ameliorates Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) through SESN2 Regulated Antiapoptosis

Background

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most severe complications after ovarian stimulation during assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, its pathogenesis still remains unclear. Melatonin is an important antioxidant factor in female reproduction and Sestrin-2 (SESN2) is reported to be involved in cellular response to different stress conditions. Whether or not melatonin and SESN2 are involved in OHSS is still a question to us clinicians.

Methods and Results

We collected the granulosa cells of OHSS patients and focused on the role of SESN2 in OHSS. We also studied the role and mechanism of melatonin plays in OHSS patients. We found that the expression of SESN2 was increased in the granulosa cells of OHSS patients (n = 24) than those in controls (n = 15). Incubation with angiotensin II (1 μM, 2 μM) in HUVECs and H2O2 (0.1 mM, 0.2 mM) in KGNs increased the generation of ROS concurrent with the increased expression of SESN2, while melatonin treatment partly restored SESN2 levels. The mechanism study demonstrated that SESN2 was deeply involved in the regulation of AMPK and mTOR, whereas melatonin partially restored angiotensin II or H2O2 induced the activation of AMPK phosphorylation and the inhibition of mTOR, 4EBP1 and S6K1 phosphorylation, all of which could trigger cell apoptosis.

Conclusions

These findings indicated that melatonin attenuated ROS-induced apoptosis through SESN2-AMPK-mTOR in OHSS. Thus, melatonin is likely to be a potential and important therapeutic agent for treating and preventing OHSS.

Developmental, cytogenetic and epigenetic consequences of removing complex proteins and adding melatonin during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes

Background

In vitro maturation (IVM) of germinal vesicle intact oocytes prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) is practiced widely in animals. In human assisted reproduction it is generally reserved for fertility preservation or where ovarian stimulation is contraindicated. Standard practice incorporates complex proteins (CP), in the form of serum and/or albumin, into IVM media to mimic the ovarian follicle environment. However, the undefined nature of CP, together with batch variation and ethical concerns regarding their origin, necessitate the development of more defined formulations. A known component of follicular fluid, melatonin, has multifaceted roles including that of a metabolic regulator and antioxidant. In certain circumstances it can enhance oocyte maturation. At this stage in development, the germinal-vesicle intact oocyte is prone to aneuploidy and epigenetic dysregulation.

Objectives

To determine the developmental, cytogenetic and epigenetic consequences of removing CP and including melatonin during bovine IVM.

Materials and methods

The study comprised a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement comparing (i) the inclusion or exclusion of CP, and (ii) the addition (100 nM) or omission of melatonin, during IVM. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were retrieved from stimulated cycles. Following IVM and IVF, putative zygotes were cultured to Day 8 in standard media. RNAseq was performed on isolated cumulus cells, cytogenetic analyses (SNP-based algorithms) on isolated trophectoderm cells, and DNA methylation analysis (reduced representation bisulfite sequencing) on isolated cells of the inner-cell mass.

Results

Removal of CP during IVM led to modest reductions in blastocyst development, whilst added melatonin was beneficial in the presence but detrimental in the absence of CP. The composition of IVM media did not affect the nature or incidence of chromosomal abnormalities but cumulus-cell transcript expression indicated altered metabolism (primarily lipid) in COCs. These effects preceded the establishment of distinct metabolic and epigenetic signatures several days later in expanded and hatching blastocysts.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of lipid, particularly sterol, metabolism by the COC during IVM. They lay the foundation for future studies that seek to develop chemically defined systems of IVM for the generation of transferrable embryos that are both cytogenetically and epigenetically normal.

Obesity modulates cell-cell interactions during ovarian folliculogenesis

Obesity is known to affect female reproduction, as evidenced by obese patients suffering from subfertility and abnormal oogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms by which obesity impairs folliculogenesis are poorly documented. Here, we performed comprehensive single-cell transcriptome analysis in both regular diet (RD) and obese mouse models to systematically uncover how obesity affects ovarian follicle cells and their interactions. We found an increased proportion of Inhbb highly expressed granulosa cells (GCs) among all the GC subpopulations in obese mice. Under obese conditions, excessive androgen secreted from endocrine theca cells (ETCs) may contribute to the imbalanced change of GC subtypes through ETCs-GCs interactions. This is alleviated by enzalutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist. We also identified and confirmed typical GC markers, such as Marcks and Prkar2b, for sensitive evaluation of female fertility in obesity. These data represent a resource for studying transcriptional networks and cell-cell interactions during folliculogenesis under physiological and pathological conditions.

Genetic determination of the ovarian reserve: a literature review

The ovarian reserve is one of the most important indicators of female fertility. It allows for the evaluation of the number of viable oocytes. This parameter is actively used in pregnancy planning and in assisted reproductive technology application, as it determines chances of successful fertilization and healthy pregnancy. Due to increased attention towards diagnostic tests evaluating the ovarian reserve, there has been a growing interest in factors that influence the state of the ovarian reserve. True reasons for pathological changes in the ovarian reserve and volume have not yet been explored in depth, and current diagnostic screening methods often fall short in efficacy. In the following review we analyze existing data relating to the study of the ovarian reserve through genetic testing, determining specific characteristics of the ovarian reserve through genetic profiling. We explore existing studies dedicated to finding specific genetic targets influencing the state of the ovarian reserve.

Single-cell reconstruction of follicular remodeling in the human adult ovary

The ovary is perhaps the most dynamic organ in the human body, only rivaled by the uterus. The molecular mechanisms that regulate follicular growth and regression, ensuring ovarian tissue homeostasis, remain elusive. We have performed single-cell RNA-sequencing using human adult ovaries to provide a map of the molecular signature of growing and regressing follicular populations. We have identified different types of granulosa and theca cells and detected local production of components of the complement system by (atretic) theca cells and stromal cells. We also have detected a mixture of adaptive and innate immune cells, as well as several types of endothelial and smooth muscle cells to aid the remodeling process. Our results highlight the relevance of mapping whole adult organs at the single-cell level and reflect ongoing efforts to map the human body. The association between complement system and follicular remodeling may provide key insights in reproductive biology and (in)fertility.

Low MFN2 expression related to ageing in granulosa cells is associated with assisted reproductive technology outcome

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is low MFN2 expression associated with ageing in granulosa cells as well as assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, and what is the underlying mechanism of action of MFN2?

DESIGN

In a prospective study, fresh granulosa cells were obtained from 161 women aged 20-40 years who underwent IVF with embryo transfer and who were divided into two groups: the diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) group (n = 51) and the control group (n = 110). Patient characteristics including age, infertility duration, body mass index, FSH, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC) and husband's semen parameters and granulosa cell MFN2 expression levels, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and ATP levels were analysed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the DOR and control groups in terms of age, infertility duration and husband'' semen parameters; however, significant (P< 0.05) changes were found between the two groups in FSH, AMH and AFC levels. MFN2 expression was remarkably lower in granulosa cells from the DOR group and decreased in both groups as age increased. Furthermore, among young patients, MFN2 levels significantly increased in patients with pregnancy. MFN2 protein levels and cell apoptosis were lower in the MFN2 knockdown (MFN2-siRNA) group than in the control (Cy3-siRNA) group. ΔΨm and ATP levels were reduced in the MFN2-siRNA group compared with the Cy3-siRNA group.

CONCLUSIONS

Low MFN2 expression levels in granulosa cells were related to ageing, which may be involved in the clinical outcome of ART by promoting cell apoptosis and affecting mitochondrial function.