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Tang F, Hummitzsch K, Rodgers RJ. Unique features of KGN granulosa-like tumour cells in the regulation of steroidogenic and antioxidant genes. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308168. [PMID: 39110703 PMCID: PMC11305538 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The ovarian KGN granulosa-like tumour cell line is commonly used as a model for human granulosa cells, especially since it produces steroid hormones. To explore this further, we identified genes that were differentially expressed by KGN cells compared to primary human granulosa cells using three public RNA sequence datasets. Of significance, we identified that the expression of the antioxidant gene TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1) was extremely high in KGN cells. This is ominous since cytochrome P450 enzymes leak electrons and produce reactive oxygen species during the biosynthesis of steroid hormones. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis identified steroid biosynthetic and cholesterol metabolic processes were more active in primary granulosa cells, whilst in KGN cells, DNA processing, chromosome segregation and kinetochore pathways were more prominent. Expression of cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19A1), which are important for the biosynthesis of the steroid hormones progesterone and oestrogen, plus their electron transport chain members (FDXR, FDX1, POR) were measured in cultured KGN cells. KGN cells were treated with 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) or 10 μM forskolin, with or without siRNA knockdown of TXNRD1. We also examined expression of antioxidant genes, H2O2 production by Amplex Red assay and DNA damage by γH2Ax staining. Significant increases in CYP11A1 and CYP19A1 were observed by either dbcAMP or forskolin treatments. However, no significant changes in H2O2 levels or DNA damage were found. Knockdown of expression of TXNRD1 by siRNA blocked the stimulation of expression of CYP11A1 and CYP19A1 by dbcAMP. Thus, with TXNRD1 playing such a pivotal role in steroidogenesis in the KGN cells and it being so highly overexpressed, we conclude that KGN cells might not be the most appropriate model of primary granulosa cells for studying the interplay between ovarian steroidogenesis, reactive oxygen species and antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Tang
- School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Katja Hummitzsch
- School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Raymond J. Rodgers
- School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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2
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Oxidative Stress and Human Ovarian Response—From Somatic Ovarian Cells to Oocytes Damage: A Clinical Comprehensive Narrative Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11071335. [PMID: 35883826 PMCID: PMC9311552 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11071335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Basic scientific research on human reproduction and oxidative damage has been extensively performed; however, a more clinical view is still lacking. As a result, exhaustive data on the influence of oxidative stress on human ovarian response and, consequently, on fertility are still lacking. This narrative review aims at summarizing the role of oxidative stress in different conditions associated to female infertility and to list some of the main antioxidant agents. A systematic literature search was performed in May 2022 to retrieve studies regarding the oxidative stress and the human ovarian response from somatic ovarian cells to oocytes damage. Only human studies were included and the authors focused their review, in particular, on clinical implications in order to define a new research perspective on the assessment of any eventual strategy to preserve women’s fertility. Thereby, the authors evaluated the contribution of DNA repair pathways in improving women’s fertility by reducing the DNA damage associated with aging or diseases, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome, and eventually, in prolonging the reproductive lifespan after cancer treatment.
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3
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Cumulus cell antioxidant system is modulated by patients' clinical characteristics and correlates with embryo development. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:1277-1295. [PMID: 35469374 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02496-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To study whether the cumulus cell antioxidant system varies accordingly to patients clinical characteristics' as age, infertility diagnosis, BMI, and stimulation protocol applied and if the antioxidant profile of cumulus cells could be used as a predictor of embryo development. METHODS A prospective study including 383 human cumulus samples provided by 191 female patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection during in vitro fertilization treatments from a local in vitro fertilization center and processed in university laboratories. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme activity levels and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in cumulus oophorus cells individually collected from each aspirated cumulus-oocyte complex, and the results of each sample were compared considering the oocytes outcome after ICSI and patients clinical characteristics. A total of 223 other human cumulus samples from previous studies were submitted to a gene expression meta-analysis. RESULTS The antioxidant system changes dramatically depending on patients' age, infertility diagnosis, stimulation protocol applied, and oocyte quality. SOD activity in cumulus cells revealed to be predictive of top-quality blastocysts for young patients with male factor infertility (P < 0.05), while GST levels were shown to be extremely influenced by infertility cause (P < 0.0001) and stimulation protocol applied (P < 0.05), but nonetheless, it can be used as a complementary tool for top-quality blastocyst prediction in patients submitted to intracytoplasmic sperm injection technique (ICSI) by male factor infertility (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Through a simple and non-invasive analysis, the evaluation of redox enzymes in cumulus cells could be used to predict embryo development, in a personalized matter in specific patient groups, indicating top-quality oocytes and improving success rates in in vitro fertilization treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered at UFRGS Research Ethics Committee and Plataforma Brasil under approval number 68081017.2.0000.5347 in June 6, 2019.
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4
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Tremblay PG, Fortin C, Sirard MA. Gene cascade analysis in human granulosa tumor cells (KGN) following exposure to high levels of free fatty acids and insulin. J Ovarian Res 2021; 14:178. [PMID: 34930403 PMCID: PMC8690403 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-021-00934-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes are detrimental factors that compromise fertility and the success rates of medically assisted procreation procedures. During metabolic stress, adipose tissue is more likely to release free fatty acids (FFA) in the serum resulting in an increase of FFA levels not only in blood, but also in follicular fluid (FF). In humans, high concentrations of palmitic acid and stearic acid reduced granulosa cell survival and were associated with poor cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) morphology. Obesity and high levels of circulating FFA were also causatively linked to hampered insulin sensitivity in cells and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. To provide a global picture of the principal upstream signaling pathways and genomic mechanisms involved in this metabolic context, human granulosa-like tumor cells (KGN) were treated with a combination of palmitic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid at the higher physiological concentrations found in the follicular fluid of women with a higher body mass index (BMI) (≥ 30.0 kg/m2). We also tested a high concentration of insulin alone and in combination with high concentrations of fatty acids. Transcription analysis by RNA-seq with a cut off for fold change of 1.5 and p-value 0.05 resulted in thousands of differentially expressed genes for each treatment. Using analysis software such as Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), we were able to establish that high concentrations of FFA affected the expression of genes mainly related to glucose and insulin homoeostasis, fatty acid metabolism, as well as steroidogenesis and granulosa cell differentiation processes. The combination of insulin and high concentrations of FFA affected signaling pathways related to apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Taken together, our results provided new information on the mechanisms that might be involved in human granulosa cells exposed to high concentrations of FFA and insulin in the contexts of metabolism disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia G Tremblay
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Chloé Fortin
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Marc-André Sirard
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
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5
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Cacciottola L, Donnez J, Dolmans MM. Can Endometriosis-Related Oxidative Stress Pave the Way for New Treatment Targets? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137138. [PMID: 34281188 PMCID: PMC8267660 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a disease of reproductive age characterized by chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Its pathogenesis is complex and still partially unexplained. However, there is increasing evidence of the role of chronic inflammation, immune system dysregulation, and oxidative stress in its development and progression. The latter appears to be involved in multiple aspects of the disease. Indeed, disease progression sustained by a hyperproliferative phenotype can be related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) imbalance, as numerous experiments using drugs to counteract hyperproliferation have shown in recent years. Chronic pelvic pain is also associated with cell function dysregulation favoring chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, specifically involving macrophages and mast cell activation. Moreover, there is increasing evidence of a role for ROS and impaired mitochondrial function not only as deleterious effectors of the ovarian reserve in patients with endometriomas but also in terms of oocyte quality and, hence, embryo development impairment. Targeting oxidative stress looks to be a promising strategy to both curb endometriotic lesion progression and alleviate endometriosis-associated symptoms of chronic pain and infertility. More investigations are nevertheless needed to develop effective therapeutic strategies for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Cacciottola
- Gynecology Research Unit, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jacques Donnez
- Society for Research into Infertility, 1150 Brussels, Belgium;
- Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie-Madeleine Dolmans
- Gynecology Research Unit, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
- Department of Gynecology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-(0)2-764-5287
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6
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Zal F, Ahmadi P, Davari M, Khademi F, Jahromi MA, Anvar Z, Jahromi BN. Glutathione-dependent enzymes in the follicular fluid of the first-retrieved oocyte and their impact on oocyte and embryos in polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2020; 18:415-424. [PMID: 32754677 PMCID: PMC7340988 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v13i6.7283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oxidative stress and GSH-dependent antioxidant system plays a key role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Objective We compared glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of the first-retrieved follicle and their impact on quality of oocyte and embryo in PCOS women undergoing IVF. Materials and Methods This cross sectional study was conducted on 80 pairs of blood samples and FF of the first-retrieved follicle from PCOS women, at the Infertility center of Ghadir Mother and Child Hospital. The mean activity of GPx and GR, also GSH levels in the serum and FF were compared to the quality of the first follicle and resultant embryo. Results Retrieved oocytes included 53 (66.25%) MII, 17 (21.25%) MI, and 10 (12.5%) germinal vesicles; after IVF 42 (52.50%) embryos with grade I and 11 (13.75%) with grade II were produced. The mean values for all three antioxidants were higher in the FF compared to serum (p < 0.001). Also all of the mean measured levels were significantly higher in the FF of the MII oocytes compared to that of oocytes with lower grades (p = 0.012, 0.006 and 0.012, respectively). The mean GPX activity and GSH levels were significantly higher in the serum (p = 0.016 and 0.012, respectively) and FF (p = 0.001 for both) of the high-quality grade I embryos. Conclusion GSH-dependent antioxidant system functions more efficiently in the FF of oocytes and embryos with higher quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Zal
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Pardis Ahmadi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Davari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,IVF Section, Ghadir-Mother and Child Hospital of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khademi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mojgan Akbarzadeh Jahromi
- Department of Pathology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Anvar
- Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahia Namavar Jahromi
- Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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7
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Pizarro BM, Cordeiro A, Reginatto MW, Campos SPC, Mancebo ACA, Areas PCF, Antunes RA, Souza MDCB, Oliveira KJ, Bloise FF, Bloise E, Fortunato RS, Ortiga-Carvalho TM. Estradiol and Progesterone Levels are Related to Redox Status in the Follicular Fluid During in vitro Fertilization. J Endocr Soc 2020; 4:bvaa064. [PMID: 32666010 PMCID: PMC7326473 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have reported a possible association between the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in follicular fluid (FF) and infertility treatment outcomes. FF analysis can provide important information about oocyte quality. This study aimed to evaluate the possible correlation between oxidative stress biomarker and intrafollicular hormone levels and clinical and laboratory parameters in women during controlled ovarian stimulation. These women were undergoing in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).The FF samples were acquired from September 2012 to February 2014 from women undergoing private fertility treatment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 196 women who were undergoing ICSI and had different infertility diagnoses were recruited. The FF from each patient (average patient age of 36.3 ± 4.3 years) was collected following puncture of just one follicle with the largest diameter. After ruling out blood contamination by spectrophotometry, 163 patient samples were utilized in the study. In the FF, the progesterone levels were negatively correlated with (a) hydrogen peroxide scavenging capacity (HPSC) (r = −0.294, P < 0.0001), (b) total number of follicles (r = −0.246, P < 0.001) and (c) total number of oocytes punctured (r = −0.268, P = 0.0001). The concentration of serum estradiol exhibited a positive correlation with intrafollicular HPSC (r = 0.165, P = 0.037). Our data indicate that the FF levels of estradiol and progesterone are related to the FF redox status, which is closely associated with the number of oocytes obtained during ICSI procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartira Marques Pizarro
- Biophysics Institute Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aline Cordeiro
- Biophysics Institute Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mila Weydtt Reginatto
- Biophysics Institute Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Samir P C Campos
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Roberto Azevedo Antunes
- Biophysics Institute Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Fertipraxis, Clinic of Human Reproduction, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Maternal Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Karen Jesus Oliveira
- Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology and Metabolism, Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal Fluminense University, Niteroi, Brazil
| | - Flavia Fonseca Bloise
- Biophysics Institute Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Enrrico Bloise
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Soares Fortunato
- Biophysics Institute Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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8
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Quercetin protects human granulosa cells against oxidative stress via thioredoxin system. Reprod Biol 2019; 19:245-254. [PMID: 31383475 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Granulosa Cells (GCs) are sensitive to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Quercetin (QUR) is a free radical scavenger which can alleviate oxidative stress through nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway and thioredoxin (Trx) system. We aimed to explore the probable protective role of QUR on cultured human GCs treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an inducer of oxidative stress. MTT assay was applied for evaluating the cell cytotoxicity of QUR and H2O2. The rate of apoptotic cells and intracellular ROS generation were determined by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescent probes (DCFH-DA), respectively. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and western blot analysis were used to evaluate the gene and protein expression of Nrf2 and kelch-like ech-associated protein 1 (Keap1)1. The Nrf2 and Trx activities were measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The results indicated that QUR pretreatment can decrease ROS production and apoptosis induced by H2O2. In addition, QUR increased Nrf2 gene and protein expression, as well as its nuclear translocation. Moreover, in QUR-treated group, a lower level of Keap1 protein was observed, which was not reported as significant. The results also indicated a significant correlation between the expression of Nrf2 and Keap1 in QUR-treated group. Further, QUR protected GCs from oxidative stress by increasing Trx gene expression and activity. This study suggests that QUR as a supplementary factor may protect GCs from oxidative stress in diseases related to this condition.
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9
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Ernst EH, Lykke-Hartmann K. Transcripts encoding free radical scavengers in human granulosa cells from primordial and primary ovarian follicles. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:1787-1798. [PMID: 29959620 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1240-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the presence and distribution of genes encoding free radical scavengers in human granulosa cells from primordial and primary ovarian follicles. METHODS A class comparison study on existing granulosa cell transcriptome from primordial (n = 539 follicles) and primary (n = 261) follicles donated by three women having ovarian tissue cryopreserved before chemotherapy was performed and interrogated. RESULTS In granulosa cells from primordial follicles, 30 genes were annotated 'mitochondrial dysfunction' including transcripts (PRDX5, TXN2) encoding enzymatic free radical scavengers peroxiredoxin 5 and thioredoxin 2. Several apoptosis regulation genes were noted (BCL2, CAS8, CAS9, AIFM1). In granulosa cells from primary follicles, mitochondrial dysfunction signalling pathway was annotated. High expression of transcripts encoding the free radical scavenger peroxiredoxin 3, as well as anti-apoptotic enzyme BCL2, was found. Interestingly, PARK7 encoding the deglycase (DJ-1) protein was expressed in granulosa cells from primary follicles. DJ-1 is implicated in oxidative defence and functions as a positive regulator of the androgen receptor and as a negative regulator of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/serine-threonine protein kinase (AKT) signalling pathway suppressor PTEN. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate extensive energy production and free radical scavenging in the granulosa cells of primordial follicles with potential implications for ovarian ageing, cigarette smoking, premature ovarian failure and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Furthermore, DJ-1 may be involved in androgen responsiveness and the regulation of follicle growth via PI3K/PTEN/AKT signalling pathway regulation in the granulosa cells of primary follicles. The involvement of mitochondrial free radical production in the age-related decline of competent oocytes is becoming apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- E H Ernst
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - K Lykke-Hartmann
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark. .,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark. .,Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus University, Brendstrupgårdsvej 21, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
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10
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Freitas C, Neto AC, Matos L, Silva E, Ribeiro Â, Silva-Carvalho JL, Almeida H. Follicular Fluid redox involvement for ovarian follicle growth. J Ovarian Res 2017; 10:44. [PMID: 28701210 PMCID: PMC5508613 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-017-0342-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As the human ovarian follicle enlarges in the course of a regular cycle or following controlled ovarian stimulation, the changes in its structure reveal the oocyte environment composed of cumulus oophorus cells and the follicular fluid (FF). In contrast to the dynamic nature of cells, the fluid compartment appears as a reservoir rich in biomolecules. In some aspects, it is similar to the plasma, but it also exhibits differences that likely relate to its specific localization around the oocyte. The chemical composition indicates that the follicular fluid is able to detect and buffer excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species, employing a variety of antioxidants, some of them components of the intracellular milieu. An important part is played by albumin through specific cysteine residues. But the fluid contains other molecules whose cysteine residues may be involved in sensing and buffering the local oxidative conditions. How these molecules are recruited and regulated to intervene such process is unknown but it is a critical issue in reproduction. In fact, important proteins in the FF, that regulate follicle growth and oocyte quality, exhibit cysteine residues at specific points, whose untoward oxidation would result in functional loss. Therefore, preservation of controlled oxidative conditions in the FF is a requirement for the fine-tuned oocyte maturation process. In contrast, its disturbance enhances the susceptibility to the establishment of reproductive disorders that would require the intervention of reproductive medicine technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Freitas
- Reproductive Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, Funchal, Portugal.,Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Catarina Neto
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde - i3S, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Ageing and Stress Group, Experimental Biology Unit - Department of Biomedicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Liliana Matos
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde - i3S, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Ageing and Stress Group, Experimental Biology Unit - Department of Biomedicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação and Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Silva
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde - i3S, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Ageing and Stress Group, Experimental Biology Unit - Department of Biomedicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ângela Ribeiro
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde - i3S, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Ageing and Stress Group, Experimental Biology Unit - Department of Biomedicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,CETI - Centro de Estudo e Tratamento da Infertilidade, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Luís Silva-Carvalho
- Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde - i3S, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,CETI - Centro de Estudo e Tratamento da Infertilidade, Porto, Portugal.,Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital CUF-Porto, 4100 180, Porto, Portugal
| | - Henrique Almeida
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde - i3S, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Ageing and Stress Group, Experimental Biology Unit - Department of Biomedicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital CUF-Porto, 4100 180, Porto, Portugal.
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11
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Eren E, Aykal G, Sayrac S, Erol O, Ellidag HY, Yilmaz N. Relationship between thioredoxin and thioredoxin-binding protein in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2016; 30:164-168. [PMID: 26955974 DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2016.1163685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the clinical and biological significance of thioredoxin (Trx) and thioredoxin-binding protein (TrxBP), which are redox-active proteins that control multiple biological functions, in gestational diabetes. METHODS We measured serum concentrations of Trx, TrxBP, insulin and other blood parameters, as well as insulin resistance and glucose tolerance in pregnant women with or without gestational dieabetes mellitus (GDM) (34/34) at the early second trimester. RESULTS Contrary to diabetes patients, serum TrxBP levels were lower in women with GDM than healthy pregnant controls. The serum insulin concentrations were higher in GDM, but the difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the intracellular redox potential ratio (Trx/TrxBP) of GDM patients was higher than that of the control group. CONCLUSION During pregnancy, the mother is potentially subjected to glucotoxicity as well as oxidative stress (OS) to help the foetus absorb more nutrients. Our results suggest that the Trx/TrxBP system may mediate a compensating mechanism. Reduced TrxBP levels and consequent enhanced Trx activity may alleviate OS and protect the foetus from hypoglycaemia. We hypothesise that the decrease in TrxBP levels is not a consequence of GDM, but rather is an instance of the active functional role of TrxBP in maternal development, unifying redox regulation and glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esin Eren
- a Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Central Laboratories of Antalya Training and Research Hospital , Antalya , Turkey
| | - Guzin Aykal
- a Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Central Laboratories of Antalya Training and Research Hospital , Antalya , Turkey
| | - Suha Sayrac
- b Research and Development Unit, Antalya Association of Public Hospitals , Antalya , Turkey , and
| | - Onur Erol
- c Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Antalya Training and Research Hospital , Antalya , Turkey
| | - Hamit Yasar Ellidag
- a Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Central Laboratories of Antalya Training and Research Hospital , Antalya , Turkey
| | - Necat Yilmaz
- a Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Central Laboratories of Antalya Training and Research Hospital , Antalya , Turkey
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