Application of specific ELISAs for BMP15 and GDF9 to cumulus cell extracts from infertile women

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) are oocyte-specific paracrine factors which regulate ovarian cumulus cell (CC) functions. This study aimed to investigate if BMP15 and GDF9 bound to CCs can be characterized, quantified, and show an association with IVF outcomes in infertile women. BMP15 and GDF9 ELISAs were validated and applied to discarded CC extracts. Pooled CCs from individual patients were collected from 120 (cohort 1; BMP15 only) and 81 infertility patients (cohort 2; BMP15 and GDF9) undergoing superovulation. BMP15 and GDF9 levels expressed per CC DNA were correlated with maternal age, clinical and embryology data. Total BMP15 and GDF9 were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.9, p < 0.001). The GDF9:BMP15 ratio was unrelated to oocyte number or age. BMP15/CC DNA and GDF9/CC DNA were unaffected by the type of superovulation and were not related to oocyte/embryo outcomes.

Effect of Er-Xian decoction on autoimmune premature ovarian failure in mice

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the therapeutic effect of Er-Xian decoction on the autoimmune premature ovarian failure (POF) in mice, and its regulatory mechanisms.

METHODS

Female BALB mice were treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of zona pellucida 3 (ZP3). One week later, mice received low (5 g/kg), moderate (10 g/kg) and high (20g/kg) doses of EXD by gastrogavage once daily for 90 d. Premarin (0.03 mg/kg) served as the positive control group. Serum levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, lymphocyte subtypes were analyzed, and follicular structure differences were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The main mechanisms of POF was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Serum E2 levels in POF model mice were decreased, whereas FSH and LH levels were dramatically increased. Serum levels of LH and FSH were reduced in POF model mice treated with EXD (moderate and high doses) and premarin, while serum level of E2 were increased after POF model mice had been treated with EXD and premarin. The CD3+ T, CD4+ T, CD4+ T/CD8+ T ratio of mice in the positive control group and high and medium dose groups of EXD increased (P < 0.05), and the number of CD8 + T cells decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when compared with the model group. Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and Akt were repressed in autoimmune POF model mice, whereas high expression was observed in control mice and those treated with EXD (moderate and high doses) and premarin.

CONCLUSION

EXD is effective in treating ZP3-induced POF in mice and increased expression of BMP-15, and Akt is represented in the mechanism accounting for this therapeutic effect.

Alteration of TGFB1, GDF9, and BMPR2 gene expression in preantral follicles of an estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovary mouse model can lead to anovulation, polycystic morphology, obesity, and absence of hyperandrogenism

Objective

In humans, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an androgen-dependent ovarian disorder. Aberrant gene expression in folliculogenesis can arrest the transition of preantral to antral follicles, leading to PCOS. We explored the possible role of altered gene expression in preantral follicles of estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovaries (PCO) in a mouse model.

Methods

Twenty female balb/c mice (8 weeks, 20.0±1.5 g) were grouped into control and PCO groups. PCO was induced by intramuscular EV injection. After 8 weeks, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum (for hormonal assessments using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique) was aspirated, and ovaries (the right ovary for histological examinations and the left for quantitative real-time polymerase) were dissected.

Results

Compared to the control group, the PCO group showed significantly lower values for the mean body weight, number of preantral and antral follicles, serum levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, and gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9 and BMPR2 (p<0.05). Serum progesterone levels were significantly higher in the PCO animals than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant between-group differences (p>0.05) were found in BMP6 or BMP15 expression.

Conclusion

In animals with EV-induced PCO, the preantral follicles did not develop into antral follicles. In this mouse model, the gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9, and BMPR2 was lower in preantral follicles, which is probably related to the pathologic conditions of PCO. Hypoandrogenism was also detected in this EV-induced murine PCO model.

Utilizing Calcium Alginate for the Assessment of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 Induction Effect on the Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived from Human Follicular Fluid to Oocyte-Like Structure

Background:

Follicular fluid (FF)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are possible new source of cells in the study of oogenesis and regenerative medicine. Several biomaterials have been used as scaffolds to mimic ovarian tissue stroma. Using good matrix is essential for increasing the cell survival rate, proliferation, and differentiation. However, no study has been performed to investigate the effects of BMP15 and calcium alginate hydrogel on the differentiation potential of FF-derived MSCs to oocyte-like structures (OLSs).

Materials and Methods:

In this work, FF MSCs, which were collected from women in routine in vitro fertilization procedure, were capsulated with 0.5% calcium alginate, and then the encapsulated cells were cultured in medium containing BMP15 for 2 weeks. Trypan blue staining was carried out to determine cell viability. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunofluorescence (ICC) staining method were performed to characterize the expression of OCT4, Nanog, ZP2, and ZP3 genes and protein. The encapsulation process did not change the morphology and viability of the encapsulated cells.

Results:

Reverse-transcription-PCR and ICC showed that MSCs expressed germ line stem cell markers such as OCT4 and Nanog. After 4 days of culture, OLSs formed and expressed zona pellucida markers. OLSs at least reached 180–230 μm in diameter in the control and BMP15-treated groups. Finally, a reduction in the expression pattern of pluripotency and ZP markers was detected in the encapsulated cells cultured in the BMP15-supplemented medium.

Conclusion:

The three-dimensional alginate culture system seems to be a promising method of getting in vitro differentiation and development of ovarian cells, which could mimic the native ovarian condition.

Transforming growth factor β1 is a differentially expressed candidate protein of congestive heart failure with Qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of tongue coating fluid protein in regulation of congestive heart failure (CHF) in Qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome.

METHODS

We studied patients with CHF (3 patients with Qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome and 3 without Qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome) to investigate differentially expressed proteins. We also included a control group. A biotin label-based antibody array was used for testing tongue coating fluid samples from patients. Network analysis of these differentially expressed proteins was conducted using the STRING database, which can predict the relations between differentially expressed proteins and CHF with Qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome.

RESULTS

A total of seven differentially expressed proteins were identified, and among these, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) gets a?particular?attention for us has drawn specific attention. Network analysis showed a homologous relationship of TGF-β1 with bone morphogenetic protein 15, which is associated with myocardial fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Occurrence and development of CHF may result from certain DE-proteins and associated signaling pathways. TGF-β1 protein may be a candidate marker for assessing the risk of CHF in Qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome.

Neonatal exposure to agonists and antagonists of sex steroid receptors induces changes in the expression of oocyte-derived growth factors and their receptors in ovarian follicles in gilts

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of neonatal exposure to either agonists or antagonists of androgen and estrogen receptors on the expression of growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and their cognate receptors (TGFBR1, BMPR1B, and BMPR2) in ovarian follicles of adult pigs. Piglets were injected subcutaneously with testosterone propionate (TP, an androgen, at 20 mg/kg bw), flutamide (FLU, an antiandrogen, at 50 mg/kg bw), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP, an estrogenic compound, 100 mg/kg bw), ICI 182,780 (ICI, an antiestrogen, 400 μg/kg bw), or corn oil (control) between postnatal Days 1 and 10 (n = 5/group). Ovarian follicles were excised from adult pigs on Days 8-11 of the estrous cycle. The expression of GDF9, BMP15, TGFBR1, BMPR1B and BMPR2 were examined in the population of preantral and small antral ovarian follicles using real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. In preantral follicles, the upregulation of GDF9 mRNA and protein expression was found in pigs that were neonatally exposed to TP or FLU, while administration of TP or ICI resulted in upregulation of BMP15. TGFBR1 and BMPR2 mRNA and protein expression were upregulated in preantral follicles of adult pigs that were neonatally exposed to TP or FLU, while administration of TP or ICI resulted in upregulation of BMPR1B. In small antral follicles, the mRNA and protein for TGFBR1 and BMPR2 were upregulated, while BMPR1B was downregulated in response to neonatal OP treatment. In addition, treatment with FLU upregulated BMPR1B and BMPR2 mRNA and protein expression, while downregulated the expression of TGFBR1. Moreover, GDF9 and BMP15 were immunolocalized in oocytes and granulosa cells of preantral follicles obtained from both control and treated ovaries. TGFBR1, BMPR1B and BMPR2 receptors were observed in the oocytes and granulosa cells of preantral follicles as well as in granulosa and theca cells of small antral follicles. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated neonatal exposure to either agonists or antagonists of androgen and estrogen receptors affected GDF9 and BMP15 signalling in ovaries of adult pigs. It seems that neonatal androgen excess or deficiency may lead to the acceleration of initial follicle recruitment, while neonatal exposure to compounds with antiandrogenic and estrogenic activity may disturb small antral follicles fate. Therefore, it confirms that neonatal window is critical for programming of ovarian function in pigs.

Molecular mechanism of FSHR expression induced by BMP15 in human granulosa cells

PURPOSE

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression in granulosa cells is critical in enabling follicles to achieve accelerated growth. Although FSHR expression has been reported to be epigenetically regulated, the mechanism is unclear. Cooperation between oocytes and granulosa cells is also essential for normal follicular growth. Among oocyte-derived factors, bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) promotes follicular growth and is suggested to have epigenetic effects. We examined the role of BMP15 in the acquirement of FSHR in human granulosa cells.

METHODS

Immortalized non-luteinized human granulosa (HGrC1) cells were stimulated with trichostatin A (TSA) or BMP15 to analyze FSHR expression, histone modifications, and USF1/2 binding at the FSHR promoter region. Histone acetyl transferase (HAT) activity and phosphorylation of Smad 1/5/8 and p38 MAPK were examined with or without BMP15, SB203580, and LDN193189. CYP19A1 expression and estradiol production were also studied.

RESULTS

TSA and BMP15 induced FSHR mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner and histone modifications were observed with increased binding of USF1/2. BMP15 increased FSHR protein expression, which was suppressed by LDN193189. BMP15 increased phosphorylation of Smad 1/5/8 and significantly increased HAT activity, which was inhibited by LDN193189, but not by SB203580. BMP15 increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and USF1. LDN193189 suppressed BMP15-induced phosphorylation of both p38 MAPK and USF1, whereas SB203580 suppressed the phosphorylation of USF1. BMP15 increased CYP19A1 mRNA expression and estradiol production.

CONCLUSION

BMP15 induced FSHR expression in human granulosa cells through Smad and non-Smad pathways. This mechanism of FSHR induction by BMP15 may be utilized for controlling follicular growth.

[The effect of follicular fluid from patients with endometriosis, follicle stimulating hormone and bone morphogenetic protein 15 on the proliferation and progesterone secretion of granular cells]

Objective: The study was designed to evaluate the effect of follicular fluid from patients with endometriosis, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15) on the proliferation and progesterone secretion of human luteinized granular cells in vitro. Methods: Cumulus granulosa cells were collected from the patients who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) ovulation due to tubal or male factor infertility on the day of the retrieval. The cells in the control group were cultured with complete medium of DMEM/F-12, an extra of FSH at a dose of 12 μg/L was added in the FSH group, an extra of BMP-15 at a dose of 6 μg/L was added to the BMP-15 group, an extra of 5% of the follicular fluid from the patients with tubal or male factor infertility was added to the tubal group, an extra of 5% of the follicular fluid from the patients with endometriosis infertility was added to the endometriosis group, an extra of 5% of the follicular fluid from the patients with endometriosis infertility plus FSH at a dose of 12 μg/L were added to the endometriosis plus FSH group, and an extra of 5% of the follicular fluid from the patients with endometriosis infertility plus BMP-15 at a dose of 6 μg/L were added to the endometriosis plus BMP-15 group. Hemacytometer counting method was used to observe the growth of cells after 48 hours, and chemiluminescence method was utilized to measure the level of progesterone in culture supernatant. Results: The cell proliferation was enhanced in the FSH group, while the proliferation was inhibited in the endometriosis group and the endometriosis plus BMP-15 group, compared to the control group, both of which, were statistically significant. Compared to the control group, the progesterone levels from the culture supernatant of granular cells were significantly elevated in the FSH group, tubal group and endometriosis group. The secretion of progesterone in the endometriosis group was lower than that in the tubal group. After addition of FSH into the endometriosis group (the endometriosis plus FSH group), the secretion level of progesterone was significantly increased, compared to the control group and the endometriosis group. After adding BMP-15 into the endometriosis group (the endometriosis plus BMP-15 group), the secretion level of progesterone was increased, compared to the control group. Conclusions: FSH, but not BMP-15, was able to enhance the proliferation and progesterone secretion of granular cells. The proliferation of granular cells and secretion of progesterone were inhibited by the follicular fluid from patients with endometriosis, which was reversed by FSH. However, BMP-15 had no effect on the outcome of follicular fluid from patients with endometriosis.

BMP15 and GDF9 Gene Mutations in Premature Ovarian Failure

BACKGROUND

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is an ovarian defect characterized by the premature depletion of ovarian follicles before the age of 40, representing one major cause of female infertility. Mutations in bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) have been shown to be associated with POF.

METHODS

Genomic DNA was isolated from 52 idiopathic premature ovarian failure patients and 100 normal control individuals. Exons of BMP15 and GDF9 gene were amplified using PCR method and subjected to directed sequencing. Variants were identified by comparing the sequences obtained with normal sequences from NCBI database.

RESULTS

Four BMP15 gene variants were identified in 6 patients in heterozygous condition. Out of these 4 variants, 3 variants namely, c.165A>T (p.Glu55Asp), c.538 G>T (p.Aln180 Ser) and c. 510_512 delT were novel variants. In silico analysis using SIFT, Provean and Polyphen 2 score predicted the non-deleterious effect of c.165A>T and c.538 G>T variant. 788insTCT variant was identified in 3 patients. No variant was identified in GDF9 gene in any patients and controls.

CONCLUSION

Although the variant has been identified in BMP15 gene but it may not be associated with the premature ovarian failure.

Short Term Organ Culture of Mouse Ovary in the Medium Supplemented with Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 and Follicle Stimulating Hormone: A Morphological, Hormonal and Molecular Study

BACKGROUND

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) is a growth factor derived from oocyte and is essential for in vivo ovarian follicular growth and in this study, its effects on the improvement of growth and development of follicles during in vitro culture of neonatal mouse ovaries was investigated.

METHODS

Two week old mice were cultured for 7 days in the basic culture media with or without follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and BMP15 as four experimental groups; FSH^-/BMP15^-, FSH⁺/BMP15^-, FSH^-/BMP15⁺ and FSH⁺/BMP15⁺. The ovarian follicles at different developmental stages in paraffin embedding sections of cultured and non-cultured ovaries were counted and compared. The 17-β estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels were analyzed in collected culture media. The expression ratio of developmental genes (PCNA, BMPR-IB, BMPR-II, FSH-R, CYP17 and ZP3) to housekeeping gene (GAPDH) was analyzed by real time PCR (RT-PCR) in comparison with non-cultured control ovaries. The data was compared by independent t-test and one-way ANOVA (with Tukey's Post Hoc test). The p<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The percentage of antral follicles, ovarian size, concentration of E2 and P4 and the expression ratio of PCNA and ZP3 genes in the ovaries cultured in medium supplemented with BMP15 and FSH increased significantly in comparison with other cultured groups (p<0.05). The BMPR-IB, BMPR-II and FSH-R mRNA level was significantly lower (p<0.05) and CYP 17 mRNA level did not change in the FSH⁺/BMP15⁺ group than other cultured groups.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a favorable effect of BMP15 in combination with FSH on in vitro development of small size mouse follicles to antral stage.

Molecular characterization of gdf9 and bmp15 genes in rare minnow Gobiocypris rarus and their expression upon bisphenol A exposure in adult females

Growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (Bmp15) are members of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily that plays important roles in regulating ovarian functions. We cloned the cDNAs of gdf9 and bmp15 in rare minnow Gobiocypris rarus. The full length cDNAs of gdf9 and bmp15 were 1999 and 1721 bp, encoding 431 and 384 amino acids respectively. They both contained conserved TGFβ superfamily domain, with six conserved cysteine residues. Tissue distribution showed that both gdf9 and bmp15 are highly expressed in the G. rarus ovary. Following bisphenol A (BPA) treatment, ovarian transcripts of gdf9 and bmp15 together with the gonadosomatic index and the ovarian histology were altered. It suggests that the altered gdf9 and bmp15 expression may play roles in the weight gain and abnormal development of the ovary following BPA exposure.