Identification of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Specific Genes in Cumulus and Mural Granulosa Cells

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and endocrine disorder which affects women of reproductive age with prevalence of 8–18%. The oocyte within the follicle is surrounded by cumulus cells (CCs), which connect with mural granulosa cells (MGCs) that are responsible for secreting steroid hormones. The main aim of this study is comparing gene expression profiles of MGCs and CCs in PCOS and control samples to identify PCOS-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs). In this study, two microarray databases were searched for mRNA expression microarray studies performed with CCs and MGCs obtained from PCOS patients and control samples. Three independent studies were selected to be integrated with naive meta-analysis since raw meta-data from these studies were found to be highly correlated. DEGs in these somatic cells were identified for PCOS and control groups. This study enabled us to reveal dysregulation in MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase), insulin and Wnt signaling pathways between CCs and MGCs in PCOS. The meta-analysis results together with qRT-PCR validations provide evidence that molecular signaling is dysregulated through MGCs and CCs in PCOS, which is important for follicle and oocyte maturation and may contribute to the pathogenesis of the syndrome.

Identification of Epigenetic Interactions between MicroRNA and DNA Methylation Associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

“…Therefore, these were associated with the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Th17 cell differentiation, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and chemokine signaling pathway. Among these, the MAPK signaling pathway [30], PI3K-Akt signaling pathway [31], and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway [32] had been reported to be involved in PCOS previously by performing apoptosis and cell-proliferation related processes.…”

Cigarette smoke is associated with altered expression of antioxidant enzymes in granulosa cells from women undergoing in vitro fertilization

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluated the association between the habit of smoking and the antioxidant enzymes gene expression (SOD1, SOD2 and CAT) in granulosa cells of smoker women undergoing IVF treatments. We used mural granulosa cells for our experiments, which are somatic cells that constitute the oocyte microenvironment together with cumulus cells (Aydos et al , 2016). Mural granulosa cells have an important role for correct oocyte development; one of the main functions is arresting the oocyte in the meiotic phase until ovulation by secreting oocyte maturation inhibitor (Kawamura et al , 2011).…”

ATF4 Contributes to Ovulation via Regulating COX2/PGE2 Expression: A Potential Role of ATF4 in PCOS

“…PCOS is common in adolescent and reproductive women and has a morbidity of 9–18% ( 1 , 2 ). Previous studies have verified that multiple genes correlated with hormone biosynthesis and ovulation are significantly altered in hGCs ( 3 , 4 ). For the release and transport of oocytes through the oviduct in fertilization, it is essential that the COC matrix is well composed and organized with proper expansion ( 5 ).…”