Expression of the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) in the human cumulus cells as a biomarker of oocytes and embryo quality

Abstract

Background:The members of the transforming growth factor-B superfamily, as the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) subfamily and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), play a role during follicular development, and the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), AMH, and THY1 are expressed in ovaries.Aim:This study was designed to define whether or not the expressions of these proteins in human cumulus cells (CCs) can be used as predictors of the oocyte and embryo competence.Settings and Design:The study included nine female patients who were diagnosed as idiopathic infertility, aged 25–33 years (median 30 years) and underwent Assisted Reproductive Technologies.Materials and Methods:The CCs from 60 oocyte–cumulus complexes obtained from the nine patients were evaluated with immunofluorescence staining in respect of BMPs, AMH and THY1 markers. The CCs surrounding the same oocytes were evaluated separately according to the oocyte and embryo quality.Statistical Analysis:Quantitative data were statistically analyzed for differences using the two-sided Mann–Whitney U test (P < 0.05).Results and Conclusions:Significant differences in immunofluorescence staining were observed in oocyte quality and embryo quality for the BMP2 only (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for AMH or CD90/THY1.Conclusion:These results demonstrated that there is a significant difference in the expression of BMP2 in the CCs of good quality oocytes and subsequently a good embryo.

Differential gene expression analysis of human cumulus cells

“…These are expressed in the ovary and regulate folliculogenesis [46-48]. The results of our recent study also demonstrate that there is a significant difference in the expression of BMP2 in the CCs of goodquality oocytes, and subsequently good embryos [49]. CCs associated either with developmentally incompetent or competent antral oocytes have been compared using microarrays with the whole transcriptome, and increased AMH gene expression has been shown to be correlated with oocyte competence [47].…”

Luteinizing Hormone Action in Human Oocyte Maturation and Quality: Signaling Pathways, Regulation, and Clinical Impact

“…Increased BMP15 and GDF9 mRNA levels in CC correlated with oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo quality [72]. Higher oocyte quality was found in oocytes from follicles with high cumulus cell BMP2 expression levels [278]. Dysregulation of activin receptor-like kinase 6 (ALK6) in human GCs is correlated with decreased ovarian reserve [28].…”

The transcriptional regulator CBX2 and ovarian function: A whole genome and whole transcriptome approach

“…According to the transcriptome data of Zhang and co-workers 38 , this gene was found highly expressed during the meiotic, oogenesis, early granulosa, mural granulosa and late granulosa stages. This is not surprising given the well-proven expression of BMP2 in GC and germ cells 111 . Consistent with this, BMP2 was reported to be important for the follicular development 111 and a predictor marker of embryo quality 112 .…”

“…This is not surprising given the well-proven expression of BMP2 in GC and germ cells 111 . Consistent with this, BMP2 was reported to be important for the follicular development 111 and a predictor marker of embryo quality 112 . We demonstrated that genes like SOX4 and FZD5 are positively regulated by CBX2.2 and seem to have consistent high expressions during all stages of the FFGC.…”