166 THE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSCRIPTOME AND ONTOLOGY PROFILES OF MURAL AND CUMULUS GRANULOSA CELLS IN STIMULATED HUMAN ANTRAL FOLLICLES
S. Kõks A B , A. Velthut C D , A. Sarapik B D , S. Altmäe E F , E. Reinmaa E , L. C. Schalkwyk G , C. Fernandes G , H. Lad G , U. Soomets H , Ü.W. Jaakma B and A. Salumets D EA Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia;
B Department of Reproductive Biology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia;
C Nova Vita Clinic, Centre for Infertility Treatment and Medical Genetics, Tallinn, Estonia;
D Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia;
E Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia;
F Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden;
G Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK;
H Department of Biochemistry, Tartu, Estonia
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 23(1) 185-186 https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv23n1Ab166
Published: 7 December 2010
Abstract
Communication between various cell types in the ovary is a prerequisite for successful folliculogenesis and ovulation. In human antral follicles, granulosa cells divide into 2 distinct cell populations: mural (enveloping the antrum, MGC) and cumulus granulosa cells (surrounding the oocyte, CGC). During infertility treatment using in vitro fertilization (IVF), granulosa cells can be retrieved during puncture of stimulated follicles offering an excellent opportunity for analysing their functional properties. The aim of this study was to compare the transcriptomes of MGC and CGC. Twenty infertile women undergoing IVF-ICSI treatment were enrolled. The MGC were obtained from follicular fluid and CGC were acquired after oocyte denudation before micromanipulation. Gene expression of both cell populations was analysed using a genome-wide transcription array. The expression profile of the 2 granulosa cell populations varied significantly: out of 28 869 transcripts, 4480 were differentially expressed (q-value < 10–4); 623 transcripts differed in their expression levels by at least 2-fold. The transcriptome of MGC showed higher expression of genes involved in immune regulation (toll-like receptors, IL18, IL17R). In CGC, pathways participating in intercellular interactions, tissue remodelling and protein degradation were more clearly distinguished (tenascin C, IGFBP5). Among the identified differentially expressed genes, several are involved in follicle development, oocyte maturation, or ovulatory processes. Our findings fit well with previously published data. The results provide a basis for future studies on intra- and intercellular signaling in the preovulatory follicle leading towards identifying methods for improving oocyte health, embryo selection, and ultimately IVF success rate.
This work was supported by the Estonian Science Foundation (6498, 6585, and 7479); the Estonian Ministry of Education and Science (SF0182641s04, SF0180142Cs08, SF0180044s09, and PBGMR07903); the Estonian University of Life Sciences (P8001VLVL); the European Union Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) (LSHB-CT-2004-503243); the European Cooperation 22 in Science and Technology (COST-STSM-FA0702-03734), and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund through the Centre of Excellence in Genomics, Estonian Biocentre, and University of Tartu. The authors acknowledge our colleagues from the Nova Vita Clinic for their assistance in sample collection and all patient volunteers for their participation in the study.
