Fractalkine restores the decreased expression of StAR and progesterone in granulosa cells from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Shuo Huang,Li Lei,Yanli Pang,Shengli Lin,Yue Zhao,Jie Qiao,Rong Li,Caihong Ma,Jie Yan,Liying Yan

doi:10.1038/srep26205

Abstract

Low progesterone levels are associated with luteal phase deficiency in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The mechanisms regulating progesterone biosynthesis in the granulosa cells from women with PCOS is largely unknown. Fractalkine is expressed in human ovaries, and is reported to regulate progesterone production in granulosa cells of healthy women. In the current study, we aimed to examine the role of fractalkine in women with PCOS. Reduced fractalkine levels were found in follicular fluid and granulosa cells, accompanied by decreased progesterone production and reduced steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) expression in the granulosa cells of patients with PCOS. Administration of fractalkine reversed the inhibition of progesterone and StAR expression. The mechanism mediating these effects may be associated with the inhibition of ERK activity in the granulosa cells from women with PCOS. Our findings revealed that fractalkine regulated steroidogenesis in follicular granulosa cells of women with PCOS.

Highlights

Low progesterone levels are associated with luteal phase deficiency in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
They were all on their first in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle and were received a standard gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol when involved in this study
It is known that ERK1/2 represses the expression of STAR

Summary

Introduction

Low progesterone levels are associated with luteal phase deficiency in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The mechanisms regulating progesterone biosynthesis in the granulosa cells from women with PCOS is largely unknown. Administration of fractalkine reversed the inhibition of progesterone and StAR expression The mechanism mediating these effects may be associated with the inhibition of ERK activity in the granulosa cells from women with PCOS. Women with PCOS have low levels of progesterone and high spontaneous abortion rates[6,7,8]. These characteristics may be related to oligo/ anovulation-induced corpus luteum dysfunction. Our data provided important insights into the mechanisms through which fractalkine regulates progesterone expression in granulosa cells

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