1
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Ge T, Wen Y, Li B, Huang X, Jiang S, Zhang E. Single-cell sequencing reveals the reproductive variations between primiparous and multiparous Hu ewes. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:144. [PMID: 37964337 PMCID: PMC10644470 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00941-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the modern sheep production systems, the reproductive performance of ewes determines the economic profitability of farming. Revealing the genetic mechanisms underlying differences in the litter size is important for the selection and breeding of highly prolific ewes. Hu sheep, a high-quality Chinese sheep breed, is known for its high fecundity and is often used as a model to study prolificacy traits. In the current study, animals were divided into two groups according to their delivery rates in three consecutive lambing seasons (namely, the high and low reproductive groups with ≥ 3 lambs and one lamb per season, n = 3, respectively). The ewes were slaughtered within 12 h of estrus, and unilateral ovarian tissues were collected and analyzed by 10× Genomics single-cell RNA sequencing. RESULTS A total of 5 types of somatic cells were identified and corresponding expression profiles were mapped in the ovaries of each group. Noticeably, the differences in the ovary somatic cell expression profiles between the high and low reproductive groups were mainly clustered in the granulosa cells. Furthermore, four granulosa cell subtypes were identified. GeneSwitches analysis revealed that the abundance of JPH1 expression and the reduction of LOC101112291 expression could lead to different evolutionary directions of the granulosa cells. Additionally, the expression levels of FTH1 and FTL in mural granulosa cells of the highly reproductive group were significantly higher. These genes inhibit necroptosis and ferroptosis of mural granulosa cells, which helps prevent follicular atresia. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the high fecundity of Hu sheep. The differences in gene expression profiles, particularly in the granulosa cells, suggest that these cells play a critical role in female prolificacy. The findings also highlight the importance of genes such as JPH1, LOC101112291, FTH1, and FTL in regulating granulosa cell function and follicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Ge
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Yifan Wen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Shaohua Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Enping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
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2
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Ikeda H, Miyao S, Nagaoka S, Takashima T, Law SM, Yamamoto T, Kurimoto K. High-quality single-cell transcriptomics from ovarian histological sections during folliculogenesis. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301929. [PMID: 37722727 PMCID: PMC10507249 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
High-quality, straightforward single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) with spatial resolution remains challenging. Here, we developed DRaqL (direct RNA recovery and quenching for laser capture microdissection), an experimental approach for efficient cell lysis of tissue sections, directly applicable to cDNA amplification. Single-cell RNA-seq combined with DRaqL allowed transcriptomic profiling from alcohol-fixed sections with efficiency comparable with that of profiling from freshly dissociated cells, together with effective exon-exon junction profiling. The combination of DRaqL with protease treatment enabled robust and efficient single-cell transcriptome analysis from formalin-fixed tissue sections. Applying this method to mouse ovarian sections, we were able to predict the transcriptome of oocytes by their size and identified an anomaly in the size-transcriptome relationship relevant to growth retardation of oocytes, in addition to detecting oocyte-specific splice isoforms. Furthermore, we identified differentially expressed genes in granulosa cells in association with their proximity to the oocytes, suggesting distinct epigenetic regulations and cell-cycle activities governing the germ-soma relationship. Thus, DRaqL is a versatile, efficient approach for high-quality single-cell RNA-seq from tissue sections, thereby revealing histological heterogeneity in folliculogenic transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Ikeda
- https://ror.org/045ysha14 Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Shintaro Miyao
- https://ror.org/045ysha14 Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - So Nagaoka
- https://ror.org/045ysha14 Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Tomoya Takashima
- https://ror.org/045ysha14 Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Sze-Ming Law
- https://ror.org/045ysha14 Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Medical-risk Avoidance based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kurimoto
- https://ror.org/045ysha14 Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
- https://ror.org/045ysha14 Advanced Medical Research Center, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
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3
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Liu L, Hao M, Zhang J, Chen Z, Zhou J, Wang C, Zhang H, Wang J. FSHR-mTOR-HIF1 signaling alleviates mouse follicles from AMPK-induced atresia. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113158. [PMID: 37733588 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113158] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of activated ovarian follicles undergo atresia during reproductive life in mammals, and only a small number of follicles are ovulated. Though hormone treatment has been widely used to promote folliculogenesis, the molecular mechanism behind follicle selection and atresia remains under debate due to inconsistency among investigation models. Using a high-throughput molecular pathology strategy, we depicted a transcriptional atlas of mouse follicular granulosa cells (GCs) under physiological condition and obtained molecular signatures in healthy and atresia GCs during development. Functional results revealed hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) as a major effector downstream of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and HIF1 activation is essential for follicle growth. Energy shortage leads to prevalent AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and drives follicular atresia. FSHR-mTOR-HIF1 signaling helps follicles escape from the atresia fate, while energy stress persists. Our work provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular network behind follicle selection and atresia under physiological condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longping Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ming Hao
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School, Hospital of Stomatology, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials, Digital Medical Devices, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
| | - Ziqi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jianbin Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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4
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Chen N, Zhang Y, Tian Y, Wu S, Gao F, Yuan X. Deciphering Cellular Heterogeneity and Communication Patterns in Porcine Antral Follicles by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3019. [PMID: 37835625 PMCID: PMC10571650 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193019] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The antral follicle stage is a critical period in mammalian oocyte maturation, marked by complex interactions between oocyte development and neighboring granulosa cells. Understanding the heterogeneity and communication patterns of granulosa cells within antral follicles is crucial for deciphering their roles in follicle development and oocyte maturation. Here, we employed single-cell RNA-sequencing to explore the molecular and cellular characteristics of porcine antral follicles. Our analysis revealed distinct subpopulations within mural and cumulus granulosa cells, indicating diverse cellular states and functions within the follicles. Functional enrichment analysis unveiled the involvement of specific subpopulations in steroid biosynthesis, cumulus expansion, and cellular communication. Moreover, comparing mature and less mature follicles highlighted differences in cell distribution and functions, indicating developmental-specific variations. Our findings shed light on the intricate cellular heterogeneity and communication network within porcine antral follicles, providing valuable insights into the regulation of follicle development and oocyte maturation in pigs. These results hold promise for improving pig reproductive efficiency and advancing human reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Chen
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yuhan Tian
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Shumei Wu
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
- Comparative Pediatrics and Nutrition, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Xiaolong Yuan
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510000, China
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5
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Deng J, Tang Y, Li L, Huang R, Wang Z, Ye T, Xiao Z, Hu M, Wei S, Wang Y, Yang Y, Huang Y. miR-143-3p Promotes Ovarian Granulosa Cell Senescence and Inhibits Estradiol Synthesis by Targeting UBE2E3 and LHCGR. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12560. [PMID: 37628741 PMCID: PMC10454865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The ovary is a highly susceptible organ to senescence, and granulosa cells (GCs) have a crucial role in oocyte development promotion and overall ovarian function maintenance. As age advances, GCs apoptosis and dysfunction escalate, leading to ovarian aging. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning ovarian aging remain poorly understood. In this study, we observed a correlation between the age-related decline of fertility and elevated expression levels of miR-143-3p in female mice. Moreover, miR-143-3p was highly expressed in senescent ovarian GCs. The overexpression of miR-143-3p in GCs not only hindered their proliferation and induced senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) but also impeded steroid hormone synthesis by targeting ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 E3 (Ube2e3) and luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin receptor (Lhcgr). These findings suggest that miR-143-3p plays a substantial role in senescence and steroid hormone synthesis in GCs, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for interventions in the ovarian aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxian Deng
- Department of Pharmacology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Yan Tang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Rufei Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Zhaoyang Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Tao Ye
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Ziyan Xiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Meirong Hu
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Siying Wei
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yuxin Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yadong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China (L.L.); (R.H.); (Z.W.); (T.Y.); (Z.X.); (M.H.); (S.W.); (Y.W.)
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangzhou 510632, China
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6
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Yuan X, Chen N, Feng Y, Li N, Pan X, Tian Y, Wang J, Jiang Y, He D, Li J, Gao F. Single-cell multi-omics profiling reveals key regulatory mechanisms that poise germinal vesicle oocytes for maturation in pigs. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:222. [PMID: 37480402 PMCID: PMC11072314 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04873-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms controlling the transition from meiotic arrest to meiotic resumption in mammalian oocytes have not been fully elucidated. Single-cell omics technology provides a new opportunity to decipher the early molecular events of oocyte growth in mammals. Here we focused on analyzing oocytes that were collected from antral follicles in different diameters of porcine pubertal ovaries, and used single-cell M&T-seq technology to analyze the nuclear DNA methylome and cytoplasmic transcriptome in parallel for 62 oocytes. 10× Genomics single-cell transcriptomic analyses were also performed to explore the bi-directional cell-cell communications within antral follicles. A new pipeline, methyConcerto, was developed to specifically and comprehensively characterize the methylation profile and allele-specific methylation events for a single-cell methylome. We characterized the gene expressions and DNA methylations of individual oocyte in porcine antral follicle, and both active and inactive gene's bodies displayed high methylation levels, thereby enabled defining two distinct types of oocytes. Although the methylation levels of Type II were higher than that of Type I, Type II contained nearly two times more of cytoplasmic transcripts than Type I. Moreover, the imprinting methylation patterns of Type II were more dramatically divergent than Type I, and the gene expressions and DNA methylations of Type II were more similar with that of MII oocytes. The crosstalk between granulosa cells and Type II oocytes was active, and these observations revealed that Type II was more poised for maturation. We further confirmed Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 in insulin signaling pathway is a key regulator on maturation by in vitro maturation experiments. Our study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms between meiotic arrest and meiotic resumption in mammalian oocytes. We also provide a new analytical package for future single-cell methylomics study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Yuan
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Na Chen
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yance Feng
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nian Li
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiangchun Pan
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuhan Tian
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Yao Jiang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Dou He
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- Comparative Pediatrics and Nutrition, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
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7
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Jiang Y, He Y, Pan X, Wang P, Yuan X, Ma B. Advances in Oocyte Maturation In Vivo and In Vitro in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9059. [PMID: 37240406 PMCID: PMC10219173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The quality and maturation of an oocyte not only play decisive roles in fertilization and embryo success, but also have long-term impacts on the later growth and development of the fetus. Female fertility declines with age, reflecting a decline in oocyte quantity. However, the meiosis of oocytes involves a complex and orderly regulatory process whose mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. This review therefore mainly focuses on the regulation mechanism of oocyte maturation, including folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and the interactions between granulosa cells and oocytes, plus in vitro technology and nuclear/cytoplasm maturation in oocytes. Additionally, we have reviewed advances made in the single-cell mRNA sequencing technology related to oocyte maturation in order to improve our understanding of the mechanism of oocyte maturation and to provide a theoretical basis for subsequent research into oocyte maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Jiang
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Yingting He
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiangchun Pan
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Penghao Wang
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
| | - Xiaolong Yuan
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bin Ma
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
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8
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Costa CB, Fair T, Seneda MM. Review: Environment of the ovulatory follicle: modifications and use of biotechnologies to enhance oocyte competence and increase fertility in cattle. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100866. [PMID: 37567670 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100866] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The oocyte is the basis of life, supporting development from a fertilized cell to an independent multicellular organism. The oocyte's competence to drive the first cell cycles postfertilization are critical to embryonic survival and subsequent successful pregnancy. Coupled with the complex processes of follicle assembly, activation, differentiation, growth, and terminal maturation, oocyte developmental competence is gradually acquired during oocyte growth and meiotic maturation. Most reproduction management technologies and interventions are centered around these highly coordinated processes, targeting the ovarian follicle and the oocyte within. Thus, our objective was to highlight key aspects of oocyte and follicle development in cattle, and to discuss recent advances in oocyte and follicle-centered reproductive biotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Bortoliero Costa
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Sciences and Languages, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Campus Assis, São Paulo, Brazil; Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Trudee Fair
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marcelo M Seneda
- State University of Londrina (UEL), Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
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9
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Xie J, Xu X, Liu S. Intercellular communication in the cumulus-oocyte complex during folliculogenesis: A review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1087612. [PMID: 36743407 PMCID: PMC9893509 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1087612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
During folliculogenesis, the oocyte and surrounding cumulus cells form an ensemble called the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC). Due to their interdependence, research on the COC has been a hot issue in the past few decades. A growing body of literature has revealed that intercellular communication is critical in determining oocyte quality and ovulation. This review provides an update on the current knowledge of COC intercellular communication, morphology, and functions. Transzonal projections (TZPs) and gap junctions are the most described structures of the COC. They provide basic metabolic and nutrient support, and abundant molecules for signaling pathways and regulations. Oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) such as growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15 have been linked with follicular homeostasis, suggesting that the communications are bidirectional. Using advanced techniques, new evidence has highlighted the existence of other structures that participate in intercellular communication. Extracellular vesicles can carry transcripts and signaling molecules. Microvilli on the oocyte can induce the formation of TZPs and secrete OSFs. Cell membrane fusion between the oocyte and cumulus cells can lead to sharing of cytoplasm, in a way making the COC a true whole. These findings give us new insights into related reproductive diseases like polycystic ovary syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency and how to improve the outcomes of assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xie
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Suying Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Suying Liu,
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10
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Casarini L, Simoni M. Membrane estrogen receptor and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2022; 123:555-585. [PMID: 37717998 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogens are fundamental to support reproductive functions. Beside the well-known FSH membrane receptor (FSHR), a G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) has been found, over the last two decades, in several tissues. It may trigger rapid, non-genomic responses of estradiol, activating proliferative and survival stimuli. The two receptors were co-characterized in the ovary, where they modulate different intracellular signaling cascades, according to the expression level and developmental stage of ovarian follicles. Moreover, they may physically interact to form heteromeric assemblies, suggestive of a new mode of action to regulate FSH-specific signals, and likely determining the follicular fate between atresia and dominance. The knowledge of FSH and estrogen membrane receptors provides a new, deeper level of comprehension of human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Casarini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Dept. Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Dept. Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Application of Single-Cell RNA Sequencing in Ovarian Development. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010047. [PMID: 36671432 PMCID: PMC9855652 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The ovary is a female reproductive organ that plays a key role in fertility and the maintenance of endocrine homeostasis, which is of great importance to women's health. It is characterized by a high heterogeneity, with different cellular subpopulations primarily containing oocytes, granulosa cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and diverse immune cell types. Each has unique and important functions. From the fetal period to old age, the ovary experiences continuous structural and functional changes, with the gene expression of each cell type undergoing dramatic changes. In addition, ovarian development strongly relies on the communication between germ and somatic cells. Compared to traditional bulk RNA sequencing techniques, the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) approach has substantial advantages in analyzing individual cells within an ever-changing and complicated tissue, classifying them into cell types, characterizing single cells, delineating the cellular developmental trajectory, and studying cell-to-cell interactions. In this review, we present single-cell transcriptome mapping of the ovary, summarize the characteristics of the important constituent cells of the ovary and the critical cellular developmental processes, and describe key signaling pathways for cell-to-cell communication in the ovary, as revealed by scRNA-seq. This review will undoubtedly improve our understanding of the characteristics of ovarian cells and development, thus enabling the identification of novel therapeutic targets for ovarian-related diseases.
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Machlin JH, Shikanov A. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of retrieved human oocytes and eggs in clinical practice and for human ovarian cell atlasing. Mol Reprod Dev 2022; 89:597-607. [PMID: 36264989 PMCID: PMC9805491 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
With the advancement of single-cell separation techniques and high-throughput sequencing platforms, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a vital technology for understanding tissue and organ systems at cellular resolution. Through transcriptional analysis, it is possible to characterize unique or rare cell types, interpret their interactions, and reveal novel functional states or shifts in developmental stages. As such, this technology is uniquely suited for studying the cells within the human ovary. The ovary is a cellularly heterogeneous organ that houses follicles, the reproductive and endocrine unit that consists of an oocyte surrounded by hormone-producing support cells, as well as many other cell populations constituting stroma, vasculature, lymphatic, and immune components. Here we review studies that have utilized scRNA-seq technology to analyze cells from healthy human ovaries and discuss the single-cell isolation techniques used. We identified two overarching applications for scRNA-seq in the human ovary. The first applies this technology to investigate transcriptional differences in oocytes/eggs from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments to ultimately improve clinical outcomes. The second utilizes scRNA-seq for the pursuit of creating a comprehensive single-cell atlas of the human ovary. The knowledge gained from these studies underscores the importance of scRNA-seq technologies in unlocking a new biological understanding of the human ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan H. Machlin
- Program in Cellular and Molecular BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Ariella Shikanov
- Program in Cellular and Molecular BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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Chen H, Hu Y, Li P, Feng X, Jiang M, Sui Z. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing revealing the difference in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism between epidermal cells and non-epidermal cells of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:968158. [PMID: 36466256 PMCID: PMC9714639 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.968158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The allocation of photoassimilates is considered as a key factor for determining plant productivity. The difference in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism between source and sink cells provide the driven force for photoassimilates' allocation. However, photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism of different cells and the carbon allocation between these cells have not been elucidated in Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis. In the present study, transcriptome analysis of epidermal cells (EC) and non-epidermal cells (NEC) of G. lemaneiformis under normal light conditions was carried out. There were 3436 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified, and most of these DEGs were related to photosynthesis and metabolism. Based on a comprehensive analysis both at physiological and transcriptional level, the activity of photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism of EC and NEC were revealed. Photosynthesis activity and the synthesis activity of many low molecular weight carbohydrates (floridoside, sucrose, and others) in EC were significantly higher than those in NEC. However, the main carbon sink, floridean starch and agar, had higher levels in NEC. Moreover, the DEGs related to transportation of photoassimilates were found in this study. These results suggested that photoassimilates of EC could be transported to NEC. This study will contribute to our understanding of the source and sink relationship between the cells in G. lemaneiformis.
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Single-Cell Sequencing Reveals an Intrinsic Heterogeneity of the Preovulatory Follicular Microenvironment. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020231. [PMID: 35204732 PMCID: PMC8961562 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The follicular microenvironment, including intra-follicular granulosa cells (GCs), is responsible for oocyte maturation and subsequent ovulation. However, the functions of GCs and cellular components of the follicular microenvironment in preovulatory follicles have not been extensively explored. Here, we surveyed the single-cell transcriptome of the follicular microenvironment around MII oocytes in six human preovulatory follicles in in vitro fertilization. There were six different cell types in the preovulatory follicles, including GCs and various immune cells. In GCs, we identified nine different functional clusters with different functional transcriptomic profiles, including specific clusters involved in inflammatory responses and adhesive function. Follicular macrophages are involved in immune responses, extracellular matrix remoulding and assist GCs in promoting the oocyte meiotic resumption. Interestingly, we observed that the specific terminal state subcluster of GCs with high levels of adhesive-related molecules should result in macrophage recruitment and residence, further contributing to an obvious heterogeneity of the immune cell proportion in preovulatory follicles from different patients. Our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the transcriptomic landscape of the preovulatory follicular microenvironment at the single-cell level. It provides valuable insights into understanding the regulation of the oocyte maturation and ovulation process, offering potential clues for the diagnosis and treatment of oocyte-maturation-related and ovulation-related diseases.
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