FSH promotes the proliferation of sheep granulosa cells by inhibiting the expression of TSP1

Abstract

Thrombospondin (TSP1) plays an important role as an antiangiogenic factor in the reproductive system of female mammals. However, its expression and function in sheep are still unclear. In the present research, the Altay sheep (a native Chinese breed) was used to analyze the expression of TSP1 in the ovary and its potential function in granulosa cells. TSP1 was widely expressed in most tissues, as shown by qPCR. In the ovary, TSP1 mRNA expression decreased during follicular to luteal growth. The TSP1 protein was expressed in a wide variety of follicles of different diameters and localized to the cytoplasm and nucleus of granulosa cells. In in vitro studies, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) significantly inhibited the expression of TSP1 in sheep granulosa cells. Functionally, FSH- and TSP1-specific siRNAs can promote the proliferation of sheep granulosa cells. In contrast, TSP1 mimetic peptide, ABT510, offsets the proliferation of sheep granulosa cells. Different signaling pathway inhibitors all promoted FSH-inhibited TSP1 expression, but each inhibitor had different effects on TSP1. Among them, the PI3K and ERK pathway inhibitors significantly promoted TSP1 expression and inhibited the proliferation of sheep granulosa cells.