Abstract
BackgroundOvarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), is characterized by marked ovarian enlargement and acute third space fluid sequestration that almost always develops after hCG administration or in early pregnancy. OHSS is similar to vascular leak syndrome (VLS), which may be attributable to the massive increase in systemic inflammatory cytokines. In the present pilot exploratory case series, we sought to evaluate interleukin (IL)-2 and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1 expressions in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients suffering from severe ovarian hypertimulation syndrome (OHSS), and to examine whether their expressions differ when compared to PBMCs originated from normal early pregnant women (without OHSS).MethodsInterleukin-2 and SOCS-1 mRNA expressions were examined in PBMCs of 5 women who were hospitalized due to severe OHSS (OHSS group) and 5 women with early IVF pregnancies and without OHSS (control group).ResultsInterleukin-2 mRNA levels in PBMCs were significantly higher in the OHSS as compared to the control groups. Moreover, while SOCS-1 mRNA levels were non-significantly lower, the ratio between IL-2 and SOCS-1 mRNA levels was significantly higher in the OHSS, as compared to the control group.ConclusionsThe inflammatory response to hCG, leading to dysregulation of Il-2 expression and SOCS activation, might be the culprit of OHSS. Additional large prospective studies are required to elucidate the effect of hCG on patients’ inherited inflammatory cascades, which may help discriminating those at risk to develop severe OHSS from those who are not.
Highlights
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), is characterized by marked ovarian enlargement and acute third space fluid sequestration that almost always develops after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration or in early pregnancy
As a consequent of the similarity between vascular leak syndrome (VLS) and OHSS, we have suggested that the hyperstimulated human ovaries may contain IL-2 which, in turn, might activate the systemic inflammatory response characteristic of OHSS [4]
All the 5 women in our study group conceived via in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments and were hospitalized with late OHSS, occurring 14 ± 2.4 days following hCG administration
Summary
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), is characterized by marked ovarian enlargement and acute third space fluid sequestration that almost always develops after hCG administration or in early pregnancy. Several evidences have accumulated, suggesting that cytokines stimulation leads to the induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins, which are part of a negative feedback loop, inhibiting cytokines signal transduction that initially led to their production [5]. These regulatory proteins are rapidly transcribed following intracellular Janus kinasesignal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) activation, a cascade that governs biological functions, including reproductive processes and cytokine-induced immunological responses [6]. Of interest is the SOCS-1 protein, that was demonstrated to be regulated by IL-2 [8], and was shown to be capable of inhibiting signaling initiated by IL-2 [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
