scholarly journals Changes in expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), their receptors and inhibin co-receptor betaglycan during bovine antral follicle development: inhibin can antagonize the suppressive effect of BMPs on thecal androgen production

Reproduction ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Glister ◽  
Leanne Satchell ◽  
Philip G Knight

We reported previously that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) potently suppress CYP17 expression and androgen production by bovine theca interna cells (TC)in vitro. In this study, real-time PCR was used to analyse gene expression in TC and granulosa cell (GC) layers from developing bovine antral follicles (1–18 mm). Abundance of mRNA transcripts for four BMPs (BMP2,BMP4,BMP6, andBMP7) and associated type I (BMPR1A,BMPR1B,ACVR1andACVR1B) and type II (BMPR2,ACVR2AandACVR2B) receptors showed relatively modest, though significant, changes during follicle development.BMP2was selectively expressed in GC, whileBMP6,BMP7and betaglycan (TGFBR3) were more abundant in TC. Abundance of betaglycan mRNA (inhibin co-receptor) in TC increased progressively (fivefold;P<0.001) as follicles grew from 1–2 to 9–10 mm. This suggests a shift in thecal responsiveness to GC-derived inhibin, produced in increasing amounts as follicles achieve dominance. This prompted us to investigate whether inhibin can function as a physiological antagonist of BMP action on bovine TCin vitro, in a manner comparable to that for activin signalling. BMP4, BMP6 and BMP7 abolished LH-induced androstenedione secretion and suppressedCYP17mRNA >200-fold (P<0.001), while co-treatment with inhibin-A reversed the suppressive action of BMP in each case (P<0.001). Results support a physiological role for granulosa-derived inhibin as an antagonist of BMP action on thecal androgen synthesis. A shift in intrafollicular balance between thecal BMP signalling (inhibitory for androgen synthesis) and betaglycan-dependent inhibin signalling (stimulatory for androgen synthesis) accords with the physiological requirement to deliver an adequate supply of aromatase substrate to GC of developing follicles.

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 142 (4) ◽  
pp. 581-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Glister ◽  
Leanne Satchell ◽  
Phil G Knight

Evidence supports local roles for transforming growth factor β superfamily members including activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) in follicle development. Access of these ligands to signalling receptors is likely modulated by extracellular binding proteins (BP). In this study, we comparedex vivoexpression of four BPs (chordin, gremlin, noggin and follistatin) in granulosal (GC) and theca interna (TC) compartments of developing bovine antral follicles (1–18 mm). Effects of FSH and IGF on BMP and BP expression by cultured GC, and effects of LH and BMPs on BP expression by cultured TC were also examined. Follicular expression of all four BP transcripts was higher in GC than TC compartments (P<0.001) a finding confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Follicle category affected (P<0.01) gremlin and follistatin mRNA abundance, with a significant cell-type×follicle category interaction for chordin, follistatin and noggin. Noggin transcript abundance was lower (P<0.05) in GC of large ‘E-active’ than ‘E-inactive’ follicles while follistatin mRNA level was higher (P<0.01). FSH enhanced CYP19, FSHR, INHBA and follistatin by GC without affecting BMP or BMP–BP expression. IGF increased CYP19 and follistatin, reduced BMP4, noggin and gremlin but did not affect chordin orFSHRmRNA levels. LH increased TC androgen secretion but had no effect on BMP or BP expression. BMPs uniformly suppressed TC androgen production whilst increasing chordin, noggin and gremlin mRNA levels up to 20-fold (P<0.01). These findings support the hypothesis that extracellular BP, mostly from GC, contribute to the regulation of intrafollicular BMP/activin signalling. Enhancement of thecal BP expression by BMP implies an autoregulatory feedback role to prevent excessive signalling.


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (23) ◽  
pp. jcs249094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shikha Chawla ◽  
Majoska H. M. Berkelaar ◽  
Boris Dasen ◽  
Christine Halleux ◽  
Sabine Guth-Gundel ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling plays a significant role during embryonic cartilage development and has been associated with osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis, being in both cases involved in triggering hypertrophy. Inspired by recent findings that BMP inhibition counteracts hypertrophic differentiation of human mesenchymal progenitors, we hypothesized that selective inhibition of BMP signalling would mitigate hypertrophic features in OA cartilage. First, a 3D in vitro OA micro-cartilage model was established using minimally expanded OA chondrocytes that was reproducibly able to capture OA-like hypertrophic features. BMP signalling was then restricted by means of two BMP receptor type I inhibitors, resulting in reduction of OA hypertrophic traits while maintaining synthesis of cartilage extracellular matrix. Our findings open potential pharmacological strategies for counteracting cartilage hypertrophy in OA and support the broader perspective that key signalling pathways known from developmental processes can guide the understanding, and possibly the mitigation, of adult pathological features.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ang Li ◽  
Haixia Cao ◽  
Hongxia Li ◽  
Ruijiao Li ◽  
Huaixiu Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Supplementation of c-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in the culture medium shortly before in vitro maturation (IVM) has been reported to be effective in delaying meiotic resumption of murine oocyte. The present study investigated the effect of CNP supplementation during the whole period of in vitro growth (IVG) on the development of murine secondary ovarian follicles.Methods Late secondary ovarian follicles isolated from ovaries of Kunming mice were cultured in vitro with and without supplementation of CNP. In experiment 1, CNP was supplemented at the early stage and the follicle development was evaluated. In experiment 2 and 3, CNP was supplemented during the whole period of IVG. In experiment 2, follicle development and oocyte maturity were evaluated. In group 3, follicle development and rate of cleaved embryos after in vitro fertilization (IVF) was assessed.Results In control group in all 3 experiments, granulosa cells migrated from within follicle and adhered to the plate at different degrees. The follicles flattened and could not reach antral stage. About 39.8% (39/98) of the oocytes ovulated nakedly. As no antral follicle was obtained, IVF was not performed in control group in experiment 3. In experiment group in all 3 experiments, no migration of guanulosa cells was observed and the follicles grew three-dimensionally. Ovulation of naked oocyte decreased substantially. The rate of antral stage follicle were 45% (18/40) in experiment 1. This parameter was 75.9% (44/58) in experiment 2 and 3 combined. In experiment 2, in preovulatory follicles without ovulation induction, oocytes at germinal vesicle (GV) stage and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stage were 87.5% (14/16) and 12.5% (2/16), respectively. In preovulatory follicles with ovulation induction, no GV stage oocyte was retrieved, oocytes at GVBD and metaphase II (MII) stage were 50% (8/16), respectively. In experiment 3, among 18 follicles cultured, 12 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) ovulated automatically after ovulation induction. Eleven oocytes were fertilized and cleaved. Compared with control groups, the follicle development assessed by naked oocyte ovulation and follicle stage (preantral follicle and antral follicle) in experiment groups were significantly superior (p<0.0001). CNP effectively maintained oocytes’ meiotic arrest and enhanced fertilization competency.Conclusions The supplementation of CNP in culture system of murine late secondary follicle during the whole period of IVG could sustain the 3-dimensional structure of follicle, increase the antral formation rate. As a result, the oocyte’s competency to be fertilized was greatly improved.


1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (6) ◽  
pp. G1090-G1095
Author(s):  
T. W. Lissoos ◽  
D. W. Beno ◽  
B. H. Davis

Increased Ito cell collagen production occurs during in vivo liver fibrogenesis. Regulation of the overproduction of collagen was studied in cultured rat hepatic Ito cells, which resemble the myofibroblast associated with liver fibrosis. Previous studies suggest that the steroid hormones, retinoic acid, and glucocorticoids may have antifibrogenic properties in vitro and in vivo when used at pharmacological doses. Their potential roles at physiological levels are not well understood. The current study examined the potential regulation of the overproduction of type I collagen in cultured rat hepatic Ito cells by another steroid hormone, 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3). T3 induced a 3.4-fold reduction in type I collagen production. The effect was dose dependent and was maximal with physiological levels of T3 (10(-9) M). The effect of T3 was independent of any suppression in total protein synthesis. The mechanism of the suppressive effect of T3 on collagen production was explored and was found to be at a posttranslational level. This study suggests that the inhibitory effects of T3 on type I collagen production are likely caused by enhanced intracellular turnover of type I collagen.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
E. Gold ◽  
C. Harrison ◽  
Y. Makanji ◽  
G. Risbridger

Activins are members of the TGF-β superfamily that signal via type II and type I receptor subunits and intracellular Smads1. Activin A stimulates FSH release from the pituitary and is also a potent growth and differentiation factor in many physiological systems2. Over-expression of the activin-βC subunit in vitro leads to a reduction in activin A and an increase in activin AC3. Transgenic mice over-expressing activin-βC show decreased circulating activin A, implying that activin AC may also be formed in vivo4. Recently recombinant activin AC has become available, therefore this study examines the in vitro function and mechanism of action of activin AC. Activin AC stimulates FSH release in LβT2 cells and is a negative growth regulator in LNCaP cells, however the potency of activin AC is 8-10 fold less than activin A. Incubation of LNCaP cells with activin receptor antibodies (ALK4, ActRIIA, ActRIIB) abolishes the growth inhibitory effects of activin AC. Activin AC binds to ActRIIB, however a 20-30 fold decrease in both the potency and affinity of activin AC is evident compared to activin A. In addition, activin AC increases Smad-2 phosphorylation. These results indicate activin AC utilises the same receptors and intracellular signalling molecules as activin A. The activin A antagonists, follistatin and activin C4, also antagonise the growth inhibitory effects of activin AC and reduce Smad-2 phosphorylation and Smad-4 expression. This study shows for the first time that the in vitro function of activin AC is similar to activin A, albeit at a lower potency and provides the impetus to determine the physiological role of activin AC in vivo.


Reproduction ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amjad R Kayani ◽  
Claire Glister ◽  
Philip G Knight

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their receptors are expressed in ovarian theca cells (TC) and granulosa cells (GC) and BMPs have been implicated in the regulation of several aspects of follicle development including thecal androgen production and granulosal oestrogen production. Their potential involvement in luteal function has received less attention. In this study, we first compared relative abundance of mRNA transcripts for BMPs, activin-βA and BMP/activin receptors in bovine corpus luteum (CL) and follicular theca and granulosa layers before undertaking functional in vitro experiments to test the effect of selected ligands (BMP6 and activin A) on luteinizing bovine TC and GC. Relative to β-actin transcript abundance, CL tissue contained more BMP4 and -6 mRNA than granulosa, more BMP2 mRNA than theca but much less activin-βA mRNA than both granulosa and theca. Transcripts for all seven BMP/activin receptors were readily detected in each tissue and two transcripts (BMPRII, ActRIIA) were more abundant in CL than either theca or granulosa, consistent with tissue responsiveness. In vitro luteinization of TC and GC from antral follicles (4–6 mm) was achieved by culturing with 5% serum for 6 days. Treatment with BMP6 (0, 2, 10, and 50 ng/ml) and activin A (0, 2, 10 and 50 ng/ml) under these conditions dose-dependently suppressed forskolin-induced progesterone (P4) secretion from both cell types without affecting cell number. BMP6 reduced forskolin-stimulated upregulation of STAR mRNA and raised ‘basal’ CYP17A1 mRNA level in theca-lutein cells without affecting expression of CYP11A1 or hydroxy-Δ-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 β- and steroid Δ-isomerase 1 (HSD3B1). In granulosa-lutein cells, STAR transcript abundance was not affected by BMP6, whereas forskolin-induced expression of CYP11A1, HSD3B1, CYP19A1 and oxytocin transcripts was reduced. In both cell types, follistatin attenuated the suppressive effect of activin A and BMP6 on forskolin-induced P4 secretion but had no effect alone. Granulosa-lutein cells secreted low levels of endogenous activin A (∼1 ng/ml); BMP6 reduced this, while raising follistatin secretion thus decreasing activin A:follistatin ratio. Collectively, these findings support inhibitory roles for BMP/activin signalling in luteinization and steroidogenesis in both TC and GC.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Buratini ◽  
C. A. Price

Considerable attention is currently paid to oocyte-derived secreted factors that act upon cumulus and granulosa cells. Also important for follicle development are somatic cell-derived secreted factors. This is illustrated by the ability of granulosa cell-derived Kit ligand (KITL) to promote primordial follicle activation, and the loss of follicle development that accompanies KITL gene disruption. This review summarises our current understanding of somatic cell factors during both preantral and antral follicle growth, involving not only signalling from granulosa cells to the oocyte, but also signalling between granulosa and theca cells. Principal granulosa cell-derived factors include activin, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). Theca cells also secrete BMPs and FGFs. The interplay between these factors is equally important for follicle growth as the activity of oocyte-derived factors.


Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (22) ◽  
pp. 5117-5130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soraya Mekki-Dauriac ◽  
Eric Agius ◽  
Paulette Kan ◽  
Philippe Cochard

In the vertebrate spinal cord, oligodendrocytes originate from a restricted region of the ventral neuroepithelium. This ventral localisation of oligodendrocyte precursors (OLPs) depends on the inductive influence of sonic hedgehog (Shh) secreted by ventral midline cells. We have investigated whether the ventral restriction of OLP specification might also depend on inhibiting signals mediated by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). BMPs invariably and markedly inhibited oligodendrocyte development in ventral neural tissue both in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, in vivo ablation of the dorsal most part of the chick spinal cord or inactivation of BMP signalling using grafts of noggin-producing cells promoted the appearance of neuroepithelial OLPs dorsal to their normal domain of emergence, showing that endogenous BMPs contribute to the inhibition of oligodendrocyte development in the spinal cord. BMPs were able to oppose the Shh-mediated induction of OLPs in spinal cord neuroepithelial explants dissected before oligodendrocyte induction,suggesting that BMPs may repress OLP specification by interfering with Shh signalling in vivo. Strikingly, among the transcription factors involved in OLP specification, BMP treatment strongly inhibited the expression of Olig2 but not of Nkx2.2, suggesting that BMP-mediated inhibition of oligodendrogenesis is controlled through the repression of the former transcription factor. Altogether, our data show that oligodendrogenesis is not only regulated by ventral inductive signals such as Shh, but also by dorsal inhibiting signals including BMP factors. They suggest that the dorsoventral position of OLPs depends on a tightly regulated balance between Shh and BMP activities.


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