Oocyte-secreted factors strongly stimulate sFRP4 expression in human cumulus cells

• Published in: Molecular human reproduction Vol. 27; no. 6
• Main Authors: Esfandyari, Sahar, Winston, Nicola J, Fierro, Michelle A, Scoccia, Humberto, Stocco, Carlos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 - administration & dosage; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 - pharmacology; Cells, Cultured; Cumulus Cells - drug effects; Cumulus Cells - metabolism; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Synergism; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - pharmacology; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; Genes, Reporter; Growth Differentiation Factor 9 - administration & dosage; Growth Differentiation Factor 9 - pharmacology; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - physiology; Oocytes - chemistry; Oocytes - physiology; Original Research; Phosphoproteins - biosynthesis; Phosphoproteins - genetics; Primary Cell Culture; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - biosynthesis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - genetics; Receptors, LH - biosynthesis; Receptors, LH - genetics; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Species Specificity; oocyte-secreted factors; secreted frizzled-related protein-4; human cumulus cells; bone morphogenetic protein 15; growth differentiation factor 9; female reproduction
• ISSN: 1360-9947; 1460-2407
• DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab031

Abstract Secreted frizzled-related protein-4 (SFRP4) belongs to a family of soluble ovarian-expressed proteins that participate in female reproduction, particularly in rodents. In humans, SFRP4 is highly expressed in cumulus cells (CCs). However, the mechanisms that stimulate SFRP4 in CCs have not been examined. We hypothesise that oocyte-secreted factors such as growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are involved in the regulation of SFRP4. Human CCs were collected from patients undergoing fertility treatments and treated with GDF9 or BMP15 or their combination in the presence of FSH or vehicle. FSH treatment significantly decreased SFRP4 mRNA levels when compared with nontreated cells. However, SFRP4 mRNA levels were increased significantly by GDF9 plus BMP15 in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence or absence of FSH. The combination of GDF9 plus BMP15 also increased SFRP4 protein levels and decreased the activity of the β-catenin/T cell factor-responsive promoter significantly. GDF9 plus BMP15 inhibited steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and LH/hCG receptor stimulation by FSH, while treatment with SFRP4 blocked the stimulatory effect of FSH on these genes. The evidence demonstrates that GDF9 and BMP15 act in coordination to stimulate SFRP4 expression and suggests that SFRP4 mediates the anti-luteinising effects of the oocyte in human CCs.