1
|
Ahuja K, Batra V, Kumar R, Datta TK. Transient suppression of Wnt signaling in poor-quality buffalo oocytes improves their developmental competence. Front Vet Sci 2024; 10:1324647. [PMID: 38274663 PMCID: PMC10808588 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1324647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction One of the most evolutionary conserved communication systems, the Wnt signaling pathway is a major gene regulatory pathway that affects the developmental competence of oocytes and regulates most embryonic developmental processes. The present study was undertaken to modulate the canonical Wnt (Wingless/integration) signaling pathway in the poor-quality (colorless cytoplasm after Brilliant Cresyl Blue staining, BCB-) buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) to improve their in vitro maturation (IVM) and embryo production (IVEP) rates. Methods The expression of key Wnt pathway genes was initially assessed in the good (blue cytoplasm after Brilliant Cresyl Blue staining, BCB+) and poor quality (BCB-) buffalo COCs to establish a differential activity of the Wnt pathway. The BCB- COCs were supplemented with the Wnt pathway inhibitor, Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) and later subjected to IVM and IVEP along with the BCB+ and BCB- controls. The cumulus expansion index (CEI), rate of nuclear maturation (mean percentage of oocytes in the MII stage) and embryo production, and the expression of developmentally important genes were evaluated to assess the effect of Wnt pathway inhibition on the development competence of these poor-quality oocytes. Results The Wnt pathway genes exhibited a significantly higher expression (p < 0.05) in the poor-quality BCB- oocytes compared to the good-quality BCB+ oocytes during the early maturation stages. The supplementation of BCB- COCs with 100 ng/mL DKK1 effectively inhibited the expression of the key mediators of the Wnt pathway (β-catenin and dishevelled homolog 1, DVL1). DKK1 supplemented BCB- COCs exhibited significantly improved cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation indices, development rates and significantly elevated expression (p < 0.05) of genes implicated in germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and embryonic genome activation (EGA) vis-à-vis BCB- control COCs. Conclusion These data indicate that inhibition of the Wnt pathway during the initial course of oocyte maturation can improve the development competence of poor-quality buffalo oocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kriti Ahuja
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Vipul Batra
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Tirtha Kumar Datta
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang J, Liu G, Liu Y, Yang P, Xie J, Wei X. The biological functions and related signaling pathways of SPON2. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1323744. [PMID: 38264743 PMCID: PMC10803442 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1323744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Spondin-2 (SPON2), also referred to as M-spondin or DIL-1, is a member of the extracellular matrix protein family known as Mindin-F-spondin (FS). SPON2 can be used as a broad-spectrum tumor marker for more than a dozen tumors, mainly prostate cancer. Meanwhile, SPON2 is also a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of certain non-tumor diseases. Additionally, SPON2 plays a pivotal role in regulating tumor metastasis and progression. In normal tissues, SPON2 has a variety of biological functions represented by promoting growth and development and cell proliferation. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the regulatory mechanisms, diagnostic potential as a broad-spectrum biomarker, diverse biological functions, involvement in various signaling pathways, and clinical applications of SPON2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingrun Zhang
- Zhongshan Clinical College, Dalian University, Dalian, China
- Laboratory of Orthopedics, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Ge Liu
- Laboratory of Orthopedics, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Zhongshan Clinical College, Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Pei Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Junyuan Xie
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Wei
- Laboratory of Orthopedics, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang LL, Lin S, Zhang Y, Yao DM, Du X. Serum Spondin-2 expression, tumor invasion, and antitumor immune response in patients with cervical cancer. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:13304-13312. [PMID: 36683629 PMCID: PMC9851009 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i36.13304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is a gynecological malignancy common in middle-aged and older patients, with a high mortality rate. Spondin-2 is an extracellular matrix protein that involved in innate and acquired immune responses. Herein, we investigated the relationship between serum Spondin-2 expression, tumor invasion and infiltration, and immune response in patients with cervical cancer and provided a theoretical basis for clinical practice.
AIM To investigate the relationship between serum Spondin-2 expression and cervical cancer-related indicators.
METHODS Overall, 147 patients with cervical cancer who were admitted to our institution between January 2019 and August 2019 were assigned to the cervical cancer group, and 92 patients with benign uterine lesions and 86 healthy individuals were assigned to the benign and control groups, respectively. In each group, serum Spondin-2 expression was measured, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was determined. Patients with cervical cancer were classified into high or low Spondin-2 groups depending on the Spondin-2 threshold value used for diagnosing cervical cancer. Patient’s clinical data were collected to compare the clinicopathologic characteristics, immune cytokine levels, and prognosis of patients with varying Spondin-2 expression levels.
RESULTS The expression level of serum Spondin-2 was significantly higher in the cervical cancer group than in the benign and control groups (P < 0.05). According to the ROC curve, the cutoff value of Spondin-2 used in the diagnosis of cervical carcinoma was 25.68 ± 7.11 μg/L. The proportion of patients with Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III, nerve invasion, vascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis was higher in the high Spondin-2 group than in the low Spondin-2 group (P < 0.05). Interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IL-4 Levels were higher in the high Spondin-2 group than in the low Spondin-2 group. In contrast, IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were lower in the high Spondin-2 group than in the low Spondin-2 group (P < 0.05). After 3 years of follow-up, progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly shorter in the high Spondin-2 group than in the low Spondin-2 group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION The expression of serum Spondin-2 is upregulated in patients with cervical carcinoma and is related to tumor invasion and infiltration, antitumor immune response, and prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Li Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China
| | - Song Lin
- Department of Surgery, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Women’s Health, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dong-Mei Yao
- Department of Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xin Du
- Department of Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Su YQ, Yin Y, Guo J, Gong X, Tian Y, Shi L. MTOR-mediated interaction between the oocyte and granulosa cells regulates the development and function of both compartments in mice. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:76-84. [PMID: 35552649 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coordinated development of the germline and the somatic compartments within a follicle is an essential prerequisite for creating a functionally normal oocyte. Bi-directional communication between the oocyte and the granulosa cells enables the frequent interchange of metabolites and signals that support the development and functions of both compartments. Mechanistic target of Rapamycin (MTOR), a conserved serine/threonine kinase and a widely recognized integrator of signals and pathways key for cellular metabolism, proliferation, and differentiation, is emerging as a major player that regulates many factes of oocyte and follicle development. Here, we summarized our recent observations on the role of oocyte- and granulosa cell-expressed MTOR in the control of the oocyte's and granulosa cell's own development, as well as the development of one another, and provided new data that further strengthen the role of cumulus cell-expressed MTOR in synchronizing oocyte and follicle development. Inhibition of MTOR induced oocyte meiotic resumption in cultured large antral follicles, as well as cumulus expansion and the expression of cumulus expansion-related transcripts in cumulus-oocyte complexes in vitro. In vivo, the activity of MTOR in cumulus cells was diminished remarkablely by 4 h after hCG administration. These results thus suggest that activation of MTOR in cumulus cells contributes to the maintenance of oocyte meiotic arrest before the LH surge. Based on the observations made by us here and previously, we propose that MTOR is an essential mediator of the bi-directional communication between the oocyte and granulosa cells that regulates the development and function of both compartments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You-Qiang Su
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yaoxue Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Jing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Xuhong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yufeng Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Lanying Shi
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nie R, Zheng X, Zhang W, Zhang B, Ling Y, Zhang H, Wu C. Morphological Characteristics and Transcriptome Landscapes of Chicken Follicles during Selective Development. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060713. [PMID: 35327110 PMCID: PMC8944860 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian follicle selection largely depends on the transition of granulosa cells from an undifferentiated to a fully differentiated state, which is accompanied by morphological and functional changes in follicles. The processes and transcriptional regulation of follicles during follicle selection are unclear; we thus used follicles from the prehierarchal to the hierarchal stage to investigate histology, reproductive endocrinology, and transcription. The morphology of follicles changed markedly during follicle selection. The numbers of large white, small yellow, and large yellow follicles (LWF, SYF, and LYF, respectively) were 11.83 ± 2.79, 6.83 ± 2.23, and 1.00, respectively, per ovary. LYF showed thicker granulosa cell layers than those of other prehierarchal follicles. Progesterone concentrations were significantly higher in LYF than that in LWF and SYF. In total, 16,823 genes were positively expressed in LWF, SYF, and LYF. Among follicle types, 1,290 differentially expressed genes were enriched regarding cell differentiation, blood vessel morphogenesis, and response to steroid hormones. Candidate genes associated with follicle selection participated in the Wnt signaling pathway, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and the TGF-β signaling pathway. We produced insights into crucial morphological characteristics of transcriptional regulation in follicle development. Our results provide an important basis for revealing the mechanism of follicle selection and potential impact on the poultry industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Nie
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (R.N.); (X.Z.); (W.Z.); (B.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Xiaotong Zheng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (R.N.); (X.Z.); (W.Z.); (B.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (R.N.); (X.Z.); (W.Z.); (B.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Bo Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (R.N.); (X.Z.); (W.Z.); (B.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Yao Ling
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (R.N.); (X.Z.); (W.Z.); (B.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| | - Hao Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (R.N.); (X.Z.); (W.Z.); (B.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Changxin Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (R.N.); (X.Z.); (W.Z.); (B.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Doherty CA, Amargant F, Shvartsman SY, Duncan FE, Gavis ER. Bidirectional communication in oogenesis: a dynamic conversation in mice and Drosophila. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 32:311-323. [PMID: 34922803 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In most animals, the oocyte is the largest cell by volume. The oocyte undergoes a period of large-scale growth during its development, prior to fertilization. At first glance, tissues that support the development of the oocyte in different organisms have diverse cellular characteristics that would seem to prohibit functional comparisons. However, these tissues often act with a common goal of establishing dynamic forms of two-way communication with the oocyte. We propose that this bidirectional communication between oocytes and support cells is a universal phenomenon that can be directly compared across species. Specifically, we highlight fruit fly and mouse oogenesis to demonstrate that similarities and differences in these systems should be used to inform and design future experiments in both models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Doherty
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Farners Amargant
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Stanislav Y Shvartsman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Elizabeth R Gavis
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kim M, Hwang SU, Yoon JD, Lee J, Kim E, Cai L, Kim G, Choi H, Oh D, Hyun SH. Beneficial Effects of Neurotrophin-4 Supplementation During in vitro Maturation of Porcine Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes and Subsequent Embryonic Development After Parthenogenetic Activation. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:779298. [PMID: 34869748 PMCID: PMC8632945 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.779298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) is a neurotrophic factor that plays an important role in follicular development and oocyte maturation. However, it is not yet known whether NT-4 is related to oocyte maturation and follicular development in pigs. This study aims to investigate the effects of NT-4 supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA). First, NT-4 and its receptors (TrkB and p75NTR) were identified through fluorescent immunohistochemistry in porcine ovaries. NT-4 was mainly expressed in theca and granulosa cells; phospho-TrkB and total TrkB were expressed in theca cells, granulosa cells, and oocytes; p75NTR was expressed in all follicular cells. During IVM, the defined maturation medium was supplemented with various concentrations of NT-4 (0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL). After IVM, the nuclear maturation rate was significantly higher in the 10 and 100 ng/mL NT-4 treated groups than in the control. There was no significant difference in the intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in any group after IVM, but the 1 and 10 ng/mL NT-4 treatment groups showed a significant increase in the intracellular glutathione levels compared to the control. In matured cumulus cells, the 10 ng/mL NT-4 treatment group showed significantly increased cumulus expansion-related genes and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling pathway-related genes. In matured oocytes, the 10 ng/mL treatment group showed significantly increased expression of cell proliferation-related genes, antioxidant-related genes, and EGF signaling pathway-related genes. We also investigated the subsequent embryonic developmental competence of PA embryos. After PA, the cleavage rates significantly increased in the 10 and 100 ng/mL NT-4 treatment groups. Although there was no significant difference in the total cell number of blastocysts, only the 10 ng/mL NT-4 treatment group showed a higher blastocyst formation rate than the control group. Our findings suggest that supplementation with the 10 ng/mL NT-4 can enhance porcine oocyte maturation by interacting with the EGF receptor signaling pathway. In addition, we demonstrated for the first time that NT-4 is not only required for porcine follicular development, but also has beneficial effects on oocyte maturation and developmental competence of PA embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirae Kim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Seon-Ung Hwang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Junchul David Yoon
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Joohyeong Lee
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Eunhye Kim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Graduate School of Veterinary Biosecurity and Protection, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Lian Cai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Graduate School of Veterinary Biosecurity and Protection, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Gahye Kim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Hyerin Choi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Dongjin Oh
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Sang-Hwan Hyun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Graduate School of Veterinary Biosecurity and Protection, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Spicer LJ. Wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site regulation of bovine theca cells. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6309027. [PMID: 34166505 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian paracrine mediation by components of the wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site ligands (WNT1 to 11) and their receptors, frizzled family members (FZD1 to 10), has been proposed. Secreted truncated forms of FZD proteins (e.g., secreted frizzled-related protein 4 [SFRP4]) block the action of WNT ligands. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is another WNT antagonist, and R-spondin-1 (RSPO1) is one of a group of four secreted proteins that enhance WNT/β-catenin signaling. Our hypothesis was that granulosa cells signal theca cells (TCs) via SFRP4, DKK1, RSPO1, and WNT secretion to regulate TC differentiation and proliferation. Therefore, in vitro experiments were conducted to study the effects of WNT family member 3A (WNT3A), WNT5A, RSPO1, DKK1, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), Indian hedgehog (IHH), and fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) on bovine TC proliferation and steroidogenesis. TCs of large (8 to 20 mm) and small (3 to 6 mm) follicles were collected from bovine ovaries; TC monolayers were established in vitro and treated with various doses of recombinant human WNT3A, WNT5A, RSPO1, DKK1, IGF1, FGF9, BMP7, IHH, and/or ovine luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum-free medium for 48 h. In experiment 1, using LH-treated TC, IGF1, IHH, and WNT3A increased (P < 0.05) cell numbers and androstenedione production, whereas WNT3A and BMP7 inhibited (P < 0.05) progesterone production. In experiment 2, FGF9 blocked (P < 0.05) the WNT3A-induced increase in androstenedione production in LH plus IGF1-treated TC. In experiment 3, RSPO1 further increased (P < 0.05) LH plus IGF1-induced progesterone and androstenedione production. In experiment 4, SFRP4 and DKK1 alone had no significant effect on TC proliferation or progesterone production of large-follicle TC but both blocked the inhibitory effect of WNT5A on androstenedione production. In contrast, DKK1 alone inhibited (P < 0.05) small-follicle TC androstenedione production whereas SFRP4 was without effect. We conclude that the ovarian TC WNT system is functional in cattle, with WNT3A increasing proliferation and androstenedione production of TC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leon J Spicer
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| |
Collapse
|