1
|
Fiorentino G, Merico V, Zanoni M, Comincini S, Sproviero D, Garofalo M, Gagliardi S, Cereda C, Lin CJ, Innocenti F, Taggi M, Vaiarelli A, Ubaldi FM, Rienzi L, Cimadomo D, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. Extracellular vesicles secreted by cumulus cells contain microRNAs that are potential regulatory factors of mouse oocyte developmental competence. Mol Hum Reprod 2024; 30:gaae019. [PMID: 38745364 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaae019] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of cumulus cells (CCs) in the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence is not yet fully understood. In a previous study, we matured cumulus-denuded fully-grown mouse oocytes to metaphase II (MII) on a feeder layer of CCs (FL-CCs) isolated from developmentally competent (FL-SN-CCs) or incompetent (FL-NSN-CCs) SN (surrounded nucleolus) or NSN (not surrounding nucleolus) oocytes, respectively. We observed that oocytes cultured on the former could develop into blastocysts, while those matured on the latter arrested at the 2-cell stage. To investigate the CC factors contributing to oocyte developmental competence, here we focused on the CCs' release into the medium of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and on their miRNA content. We found that, during the 15-h transition to MII, both FL-SN-CCs and FL-NSN-CCs release EVs that can be detected, by confocal microscopy, inside the zona pellucida (ZP) or the ooplasm. The majority of EVs are <200 nm in size, which is compatible with their ability to cross the ZP. Next-generation sequencing of the miRNome of FL-SN-CC versus FL-NSN-CC EVs highlighted 74 differentially expressed miRNAs, with 43 up- and 31 down-regulated. Although most of these miRNAs do not have known roles in the ovary, in silico functional analysis showed that seven of these miRNAs regulate 71 target genes with specific roles in meiosis resumption (N = 24), follicle growth (N = 23), fertilization (N = 1), and the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence (N = 23). Overall, our results indicate CC EVs as emerging candidates of the CC-to-oocyte communication axis and uncover a group of miRNAs as potential regulatory factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Fiorentino
- Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology of Reproduction, Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Valeria Merico
- Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology of Reproduction, Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Zanoni
- Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology of Reproduction, Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sergio Comincini
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Daisy Sproviero
- IFOM, IFOM-The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Garofalo
- Molecular Biology and Transcriptomics Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stella Gagliardi
- Molecular Biology and Transcriptomics Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Department of Pediatrics, Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Chih-Jen Lin
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Federica Innocenti
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilena Taggi
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Vaiarelli
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Rienzi
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
| | - Danilo Cimadomo
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology of Reproduction, Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology of Reproduction, Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen HT, Wu WB, Lin JJ, Lai TH. Identification of potential angiogenic biomarkers in human follicular fluid for predicting oocyte maturity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1173079. [PMID: 37635970 PMCID: PMC10448508 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1173079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Angiogenesis in folliculogenesis contributes to oocyte developmental competence in natural and in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Therefore, the identification of key angiogenic factors in follicular fluid (FF) during folliculogenesis is clinically significant and important for in vitro fertilization. This study aims to identify the key angiogenic factors in FF for predicting oocyte maturity during in vitro fertilization. Materials and methods Forty participants who received ovarian stimulation using a GnRH antagonist protocol in their first in vitro fertilization treatment were recruited. From each patient, two follicular samples (one preovulatory follicle, > 18 mm; one mid-antral follicle, < 14 mm) were collected without flushing during oocyte retrieval. In total, 80 FF samples were collected from 40 patients. The expression profiles of angiogenesis-related proteins in FF were analyzed via Luminex high-performance assays. Recorded patient data included antral follicle count, anti-müllerian hormone, age, and BMI. Serum samples were collected on menstrual cycle day 2, the trigger day, and the day of oocyte retrieval. Hormone concentrations including day 2 FSH/LH/E2/P4, trigger day E2/LH/P4, and retrieval day E2/LH/P4 were measured by chemiluminescence assay. Results Ten angiogenic factors were highly expressed in FF: eotaxin, Gro-α, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, MIG, PAI-1 (Serpin), VEGF-A, CXCL-6, and HGF. The concentrations of eotaxin, IL-8, MCP1, PAI-1, and VEGF-A were significantly higher in preovulatory follicles than those in mid-antral follicles, while the Gro-α and CXCL-6 expressional levels were lower in preovulatory than in mid-antral follicles (p < 0.05). Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that VEGF-A, eotaxin, and CXCL-6 were the three strongest predictors of oocyte maturity. The combination of VEGF-A and CXCL-6 predicted oocyte maturity with a higher sensitivity (91.7%) and specificity (72.7%) than other combinations. Conclusion Our findings suggest that VEGF-A, eotaxin, and CXCL-6 concentrations in FF strongly correlate with oocyte maturity from the mid-antral to preovulatory stage. The combination of VEGF-A and CXCL-6 exhibits a relatively good prediction rate of oocyte maturity during in vitro fertilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan-Ting Chen
- Ph.D. Program in Pharmaceutic Biotechnology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Bin Wu
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Jin Lin
- Assisted Reproductive Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsuan Lai
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Assisted Reproductive Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Antioxidant and developmental capacity of retinol on the in vitro culture of rabbit embryos. ZYGOTE 2018; 26:326-332. [DOI: 10.1017/s0967199418000308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
SummaryOxidative stress is a major cause of defective embryo development during in vitro culture. Retinoids are recognized as non-enzymatic antioxidants and may have an important role in the regulation of cell differentiation and vertebrate development. However, there are not enough reports discussing the antioxidant and developmental capacity of retinoids, including retinol (RT), on the in vitro development of embryos recovered from livestock animals, particularly in rabbit species. Therefore, morula embryos obtained from nulliparous Red Baladi rabbit does were cultured for 48 h in TCM199 medium in the absence of RT (control group) or in the presence of RT at concentrations of 10, 100 and 1000 nM. The developmental capacity to the hatched blastocyst stage, the antioxidant biomarker assay and the expression of several selected genes were analyzed in each RT group. The data show that RT significantly (P<0.001) promoted the embryo hatchability rate at the concentration of 1000 nM to 69.44% versus 29.71% for the control. The activity of malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the RT groups than in the control group, while the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly (P<0.05) higher following treatment with RT. Furthermore, RT treatment considerably upregulated the relative expression of gap junction protein alpha 1 (GJA1), POU class 5 homeobox 1 (POU5F1) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) genes compared with the control group. The current study highlights the potential effects of RT as antioxidant in the culture medium on the in vitro development of rabbit embryos.
Collapse
|
4
|
Tripathi A, Shrivastav TG, Chaube SK. An increase of granulosa cell apoptosis mediates aqueous neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract-induced oocyte apoptosis in rat. Int J Appl Basic Med Res 2013; 3:27-36. [PMID: 23776837 PMCID: PMC3678678 DOI: 10.4103/2229-516x.112238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Neem plant (Azadirachta indica) has been extensively used in Ayurvedic system of medicine for female fertility regulation for a long time, but its mechanism of action remains poorly understood. Hence, the present study was aimed to determine whether an increase of granulosa cell apoptosis is associated with aqueous neem leaf extract (NLE)-induced oocyte apoptosis. Materials and Methods: Sexually immature female rats of 20 days old were fed NLE (50 mg/day) for 10 days and then subjected to superovulation induction protocol. The morphological changes in cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs), rate of oocyte apoptosis, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), total nitrite, and cytochrome c concentrations, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cytochrome c, p53, Bcl2 and Bax expressions, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation, and estradiol 17β level in granulosa cells collected from preovulatory COCs were analyzed. Results: Aqueous NLE increased H2O2 concentration and decreased catalase activity, increased iNOS expression and total nitrite concentration, increased p53, Bax, and p53 expressions but decreased Bcl2 expression, increased cytochrome c concentration and induced DNA fragmentation in granulosa cells. An increased granulosa cell apoptosis resulted in reduced estradiol 17β concentration and induced apoptosis in ovulated oocytes. Conclusion: We conclude that aqueous NLE-induced granulosa cell apoptosis through the mitochondria-mediated pathway, reduced estradiol 17β concentration and induced apoptosis in ovulated oocytes. Thus, granulosa cell apoptosis mediates NLE-induced oocyte apoptosis during female fertility regulation in rat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anima Tripathi
- Department of Zoology, Cell Physiology Laboratory, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | | | | |
Collapse
|