|
Comment |
Gene expression profiles of cumulus cell oocyte complexes (COCs) during ovulation reveal cumulus cells express neuronal and immune-related genes: Does this expand their role in the ovulation process
Hernandez-Gonzalez I, et al ?
Ovulation is a complex process initiated by the preovulatory LH surge, characterized by cumulus oocyte complex (COC) expansion and completed by the release of a mature oocyte. Although many ovarian genes that impact ovulation have been identified, we hypothesized that genes selectively expressed in COCs would be overlooked by approaches using whole ovary or granulosa cell samples. RNA isolated from COCs collected from preovulatory follicles of eCG-primed mice and at selected times following hCG treatment was subjected to microarray analyses and results confirmed by RT-PCR analyses, Western blotting and immunofluorescent studies. A remarkable number of genes was up-regulated in COCs including Areg, Ereg, and Btc. Several genes selectively expressed in cumulus cells compared with granulosa cells were related to neuronal (Mbp, Tnc, Nts) or immune (Alcam, Pdcd1, Cd34, Cd52 and Cxcr4) cell function. In addition to Sfrp2, other members of the Wnt/Fzd family (Sfrp4, Fdz1 and Fdz2) were expressed in COCs. Thus, there is a cumulus cell-specific, terminal differentiation process. Furthermore, immunofluorescent analyses documented that cumulus cells are highly mitotic for 4-8 h after hCG and then cease dividing in association with reduced levels of Ccnd2 mRNA. Other down-regulated genes included: Cyp19a1, Fshr, Inhb, and the oocyte factors Zp1-3 and Gja4. In summary, the vast number of matrix, neuronal and especially immune cell-related genes identified by the gene profiling data of COCs constitutes strong and novel evidence that cumulus cells possess a repertoire of immune functions that could be far greater than simply mediating an inflammatory-like response.
|