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Liu H, Tu M, Yin Z, Zhang D, Ma J, He F. Unraveling the complexity of polycystic ovary syndrome with animal models. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:144-158. [PMID: 37777062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly familial and heritable endocrine disorder. Over half of the daughters born to women with PCOS may eventually develop their own PCOS-related symptoms. Progress in the treatment of PCOS is currently hindered by the complexity of its clinical manifestations and incomplete knowledge of its etiopathogenesis. Various animal models, including experimentally induced, naturally occurring, and spontaneously arising ones, have been established to emulate a wide range of phenotypical and pathological traits of human PCOS. These studies have led to a paradigm shift in understanding the genetic, developmental, and evolutionary origins of this disorder. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that animal models are useful in evaluating state-of-the-art drugs and treatments for PCOS. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of recent studies of PCOS in animal models, highlighting the power of these disease models in understanding the biology of PCOS and aiding high-throughput approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanju Liu
- Center for Genetic Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Mixue Tu
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Zhiyong Yin
- Center for Genetic Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China; Clinical Research Center on Birth Defect Prevention and Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
| | - Jun Ma
- Center for Genetic Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China; Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University International School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic and Developmental Disorder, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Feng He
- Center for Genetic Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China; Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University International School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic and Developmental Disorder, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
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Luan YY, Zhang L, Peng YQ, Li YY, Liu RX, Yin CH. Immune Regulation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Clin Chim Acta 2022; 531:265-272. [PMID: 35447143 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2022.04.234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting females . Furthermore, it is a heterogeneous disease with a variety of etiologies and outcomes. Patients frequently complain about infertility, irregular menstruation, acne, seborrheic dermatitis, hirsutism, and obesity. PCOS can be caused by hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis dysfunction, heredity, or metabolic abnormalities. PCOS is characterized by chronic low-level inflammation, which includes an imbalance in pro-inflammatory factor secretion, endothelial cell dysfunction, and leukocytosis. PCOS is also distinguished by hormonal and immune dysregulation. During PCOS, immune cells and immune regulatory molecules play critical roles in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and regulating immune responses. Because of oligo/anovulation, patients with PCOS have low progesterone levels. Therefore, low progesterone levels in PCOS overstimulate the immune system, causing it to produce more estrogen, which leads to a variety of autoantibodies. This review aims to summarize the immune regulation involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS and pave the way for the development of better PCOS treatment options in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Yi Luan
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital. Beijing, China, 100026
| | - Lei Zhang
- Emergency Department, The PLA Rocket Medical Center, Beijing, China, 100088
| | - Yi-Qiu Peng
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital. Beijing, China, 100026
| | - Ying-Ying Li
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital. Beijing, China, 100026
| | - Rui-Xia Liu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital. Beijing, China, 100026
| | - Cheng-Hong Yin
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital. Beijing, China, 100026.
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Li H, Guo Y, Deng J, Gali H, Weedin EA, Burks HR, Craig LB, Yu X. GnRH receptor-activating autoantibodies in polycystic ovary syndrome: identification of functional epitopes and development of epitope mimetic inhibitors. Endocrine 2022; 75:959-963. [PMID: 34807394 PMCID: PMC8891032 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02944-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We have recently demonstrated that gonadotrophin-releasing hormone receptor-activating autoantibodies (GnRHR-AAb) are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this study was to map the antigenic epitopes of GnRHR-AAb from PCOS patients, and develop retro-inverso peptide inhibitors that specifically target GnRHR-AAb. METHODS Serum samples from ten GnRHR-AAb-positive PCOS patients and ten GnRHR-AAb-negative healthy controls were tested. Epitope mapping for GnRHR-AAb was performed using a set of 11 overlapping octapeptides spanning the second extracellular loop of GnRHR. Antibody-blocking effect of the designed retro-inverso peptide inhibitors was evaluated in a cell-based bioassay. RESULTS Two peptide sequences, FSQCVTHC and HCSFSQWW, were found to react with all PCOS sera, but not with control sera. Two retro-inverso peptides that mimic the identified epitopes, d-CHTVCQSF and d-WWQSFSCH, significantly inhibited PCOS serum IgG-induced GnRHR activation. One of these two peptide inhibitors, d-CHTVCQSF, largely suppressed autoantibody-induced GnRHR activation, suggesting that the epitope sequence FSQCVTHC may be a major functional target of GnRHR-AAb. CONCLUSION We have identified a dominant functional epitope for GnRHR-AAb associated with PCOS, and demonstrated effective blocking of GnRHR-AAb activity with epitope-mimicking retro-inverso peptide inhibitors. These proteolytically stable decoy peptides may have important therapeutic implications in subjects who harbor these autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Li
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Yankai Guo
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jielin Deng
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Hariprasad Gali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Weedin
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Heather R Burks
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - LaTasha B Craig
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Xichun Yu
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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Li H, Guo Y, Deng J, Fischer H, Weedin EA, Burks HR, Craig LB, Yu X. Increased testosterone and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome correlate with elevated GnRH receptor autoantibody activity assessed by a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based bioassay. Endocrine 2021; 74:163-171. [PMID: 34013495 PMCID: PMC8440388 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02761-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The recently identified agonistic autoantibodies (AAb) to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) are a novel investigative and therapeutic target for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this study, we used a new cell-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) bioassay to analyze serum GnRHR-AAb activity and examine its relationship with testosterone and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with PCOS. METHODS Serum samples from 33 PCOS patients, 39 non-PCOS ovulatory infertile controls and 30 normal controls were tested for GnRHR-AAb activity and proinflammatory cytokines in a FRET-based bioassay and multiplex bead-based immunoassay, respectively. Correlation was analyzed using the Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS Serum GnRHR-AAb activity was significantly higher in the PCOS patients than for the ovulatory infertile (p < 0.05) and normal (p < 0.01) controls. GnRHR-AAb were positive in 39% of PCOS patients, 10% of ovulatory infertile controls, and 0% of normal controls. PCOS IgG-induced GnRHR activation was specifically blocked by the GnRHR antagonist cetrorelix. Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-2, interleukin-6, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly increased in PCOS patients compared with ovulatory infertile and normal controls (p < 0.01). Correlation analysis demonstrated positive correlations of GnRHR-AAb activity with testosterone and proinflammatory cytokine levels in the PCOS group. CONCLUSIONS Elevated GnRHR-AAb activity, as assessed by a new FRET assay, is associated with increased testosterone and proinflammatory cytokines in PCOS, suggesting autoimmune activation of GnRHR may contribute to the pathogenesis of this common disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Li
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Yankai Guo
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jielin Deng
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Hayley Fischer
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Weedin
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Heather R Burks
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - LaTasha B Craig
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Xichun Yu
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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