Up-Regulated FHL2 Inhibits Ovulation Through Interacting with Androgen Receptor and ERK1/2 in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Background: The ovulatory dysfunction mechanisms underlying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not completely understood. There is no effective therapy for PCOS so far. Methods: We measured the expression of four and a half LIM domain 2 (FHL2) and other related-genes in human granulosa cells (hGCs) from patients with and without PCOS. The in vitro effects of FHL2 on ovulatory genes and the underlying mechanisms were examined in KGN cells. The role of FHL2 in ovulation was investigated in vivo by overexpressing FHL2 in rat ovaries via intrabursal lentivirus injection. Findings: Increased FHL2 and androgen receptor (AR) expression and decreased CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) expression were observed in hGCs from patients with PCOS. FHL2 inhibited the expression of ovulation-related genes, including phosphorylated ERK1/2, C/EBPβ, COX2 and HAS2 in KGN cells. It was partially by interacting with AR to act as its co-regulator to inhibit C/EBPβ expression and by binding to ERK1/2 to inhibit its phosphorylation. Moreover, FHL2 abundance in hGCs was positively correlated with the basal serum testosterone concentration of patients with PCOS, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced FHL2 upregulation was mediated by AR signalling in KGN cells. Additionally, lentiviral-mediated functional FHL2 overexpression in rat ovaries for 1 week contributed to an impaired superovulatory response, displaying decreased numbers of retrieved oocytes and a lower MII oocyte rate. 3-week FHL2 overexpression rat models without superovulation led to acyclicity, polycystic ovary morphology and hormonal disorders. Interpretation: Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PCOS, suggesting that FHL2 could be a potential treatment target for ovulatory obstacles in PCOS. Funding: National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health project and Shanghai Commission of Science and Technology. Declaration of Interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethical Approval: The Institutional Review Board of the Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, reviewed and approved all procedures. All rat experiments were approved by the Institutional Review Board of Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.