Evidence for the regulation of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase messenger RNA by human chorionic gonadotrophin in luteinized porcine granulosa cells

The effects of hCG on the abundance of messenger RNA for the steroidogenic enzyme 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-OHSD) were studied in luteinized porcine granulosa cells. There were dose-dependent increases in the mRNA for this enzyme after 8 h incubation with hCG or dibutyryl cAMP. The results suggest that LH-like hormones regulate the expression of the 3 beta-OHSD gene in luteinized tissue, and this genomic regulation is a component of the luteotrophic regulation of steroidogenesis in the ovary.     

Regulation of PKC delta expression by estrogen and rat placental lactogen-1 in luteinized rat ovarian granulosa cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) delta is dramatically upregulated in the corpus luteum in the second half of pregnancy in the rat. To gain insight into the hormonal regulation of PKC delta expression, studies were undertaken to analyze the regulation of PKC delta expression in a luteinized rat granulosa cell model. PKC delta protein expression was evaluated in luteinized granulosa cells, isolated from human (h)CG-treated immature female rats 7 h after the injection of an ovulatory dose of hCG and cultured up to 12 days. Cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme expression was observed throughout the culture period, and a majority of the cells expressed steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and responded to rat placental lactogen (rPL)-1 by exhibiting hypertrophy, consistent with maintenance of the luteal phenotype. Both PKC delta protein and mRNA expression increased 3.5-4-fold with time of culture, and PKC delta mRNA expression could be eliminated by treatment of cells with the PKC inhibitor GF109203X. E(2) caused a specific dose- and time-dependent increase in expression of PKC delta protein of twofold, whereas PKC delta mRNA was unaffected by E(2) over a 12-day culture period. Treatment of cells with 500 ng/ml rPL-1 for the final 4 days of a 12-day culture in the absence of E(2) had no effect on PKC delta protein or mRNA expression, while treatment with 500 or 3000 ng/ml rPL-1 in the presence of E(2) significantly enhanced both PKC delta protein and mRNA expression (up to threefold). These results show that two of the major regulators of luteal function in the second half of pregnancy in the rat, E(2) and rPL-1, cooperate to regulate PKC delta expression in luteinized granulosa cells.     

Characterization and regulation of type A endothelin receptor gene expression in bovine luteal cell types

Our previous studies demonstrated that endothelin-1 (ET-1), a 21-amino acid vasoconstrictor peptide, has a paracrine regulatory role in bovine corpus luteum (CL). The peptide is produced within the gland where it inhibits progesterone production by acting via the selective type A endothelin (ETA) receptors. The present study was designed to characterize ETA receptor gene expression in different ovarian cell types and its hormonal regulation. ETA receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were high in follicular cells as well as in CL during luteal regression. At this latter stage, high ETA receptor expression concurred with low prostaglandin F2alpha receptor mRNA. The ETA receptor gene was expressed by all three major cell populations of the bovine CL; i.e. small and large luteal cells, as well as in luteal endothelial cells. Among these various cell populations, the highest ETA receptor mRNA levels were found in endothelial cells. cAMP elevating agents, forskolin and LH, suppressed ETA receptor mRNA expression in luteinized theca cells (LTC). This inhibition was dose dependent and was evident already after 24 h of incubation. In luteinized granulosa cells (LGC), 10 and 100 ng/ml of insulin-like growth factor I and insulin (only at a concentration of 2000 ng/ml) markedly decreased ETA receptor mRNA levels. In both LGC and LTC there was an inverse relationship between ETA receptor gene expression and progesterone production; insulin (in LGC) and forskolin (in LTC) enhanced progesterone production while inhibiting ETA receptor mRNA levels. Our findings may therefore suggest that, during early stages of luteinization when peak levels of both LH and insulin-like growth factor I exist, the expression of ETA receptors in the gland are suppressed. This study demonstrates physiologically relevant regulatory mechanisms controlling ETA receptor gene expression and further supports the inhibitory role of ET-1 in CL function.     

Cytokine modulation of progesterone and estradiol secretion in cultures of luteinized human granulosa cells.

To clarify the possible roles of cytokines in the regulation of luteal cell function, we examined the effects of interferon (IFN), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on progesterone and estradiol secretion in cultures of luteinized human granulosa cells. IFN gamma reduced hCG-stimulated progesterone secretion in a concentration-dependent manner; at its maximal inhibitory concentration (10 ng/mL), IFN gamma reduced progesterone secretion to 20% of that in the hCG-stimulated controls. Whereas other IFN (alpha and beta) reproduced the inhibitory effect of IFN gamma, IL-1 and TNF had no effect on hCG-stimulated progesterone secretion at concentrations of 1 and 10 ng/mL. IFN gamma also markedly reduced FSH-stimulated estradiol secretion. Unlike their effects on hCG-stimulated progesterone secretion, IL-1 and TNF reproduced the inhibitory effect of IFN gamma on FSH-stimulated estradiol secretion. IFN gamma significantly reduced both hCG- and FSH-stimulated cAMP generation in granulosa cells. IL-1 and TNF inhibited FSH-stimulated cAMP generation, but they did not inhibit hCG-stimulated cAMP generation. None of these cytokines reduced forskolin-stimulated cAMP generation, thus suggesting that these cytokines affect steps proximal to cAMP generation without affecting cAMP generation itself. IFN gamma also reduced progesterone secretion in response to (Bu)2cAMP, suggesting that it also affects steps distal to cAMP generation. This study has demonstrated that cytokines modulate the steroidogenesis of luteinized human granulosa cells in vitro; the results suggest that cytokines may play permissive roles in regulating luteal cell function.     

Synthesis of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzymes in cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells: induction by follicle-stimulating hormone and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate

The effects of FSH and (Bu)2cAMP on synthesis of the components of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage (SCC) enzyme complex, namely SCC cytochrome P-450 (P-450scc), the iron-sulfur protein adrenodoxin (ISP), and NADPH:ISP reductase (Red), were investigated in granulosa cells obtained from ovaries of immature estrogen-primed rats cultured for up to 72 h in defined medium in the presence or absence of FSH and (Bu)2cAMP. The cells were lysed, and proteins were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by immunoblotting using antibodies specific to bovine adrenocortical P-450scc, ISP, and Red. A time-dependent increase was observed in the specific contents of these three components of SCC, but not of the reference mitochondrial protein, F1-ATPase, upon treatment with FSH or (Bu)2cAMP. The increase in the content of these three enzymes was accompanied by a rise in progesterone and 20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone production. The synthesis of P-450scc, ISP, and Red increased 3- to 4-fold with time upon FSH or (Bu)2cAMP treatment respectively, as evidenced by pulse labeling of the cell proteins with [35S]methionine, followed by immunoprecipitation. Immunoprecipitation of P-450scc and ISP from an in vitro translation system programmed by RNA isolated from cultured cells revealed that treatment with FSH or (Bu)2cAMP resulted in an increase in the levels of translatable mRNA specific for these proteins, and that the initial products of translation were precursor forms of cytochrome P-450scc and ISP, similar to those observed in bovine adrenal and granulosa cells. It is concluded that in cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells, FSH induces the synthesis of cytochrome P-450scc, ISP, and Red by increasing the content of translatable mRNA coding for the precursor forms of these enzymes and that this action is mediated by cAMP. Furthermore, the effects of FSH and (Bu)2cAMP provide an explanation for the action of these compounds to stimulate progestin synthesis in cultured ovarian cells.     

Localization and quantification of cyclic changes in the expression of endocrine gland vascular endothelial growth factor in the human corpus luteum

Angiogenesis is essential for normal growth and function of the corpus luteum. The roles of various angiogenic factors in these events are being elucidated. Endocrine gland vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) has recently been described in the human ovary. To define the localization of EG-VEGF mRNA in the corpus luteum and determine changes in its expression, dated human corpora lutea were studied at the early, mid-, and late luteal phases. Quantitative RT-PCR was employed to determine changes in EG-VEGF mRNA and compare expression to its related factor prokineticin-2 and the established angiogenic factor, VEGF. In situ hybridization was used to localize sites of production of EG-VEGF. To investigate whether expression of EG-VEGF was under the influence of LH or progesterone, luteinized granulosa cells were stimulated with human chorionic gonadotropin in the presence or absence of a progesterone synthesis inhibitor. EG-VEGF mRNA increased throughout the luteal phase, whereas there was no change in VEGF mRNA. The relative abundance of RNAs based upon PCR signal intensity showed that VEGF and EG-VEGF were highly expressed, whereas expression of prokineticin-2 was low. EG-VEGF mRNA was localized predominantly to granulosa-derived cells of the corpus luteum. Human chorionic gonadotropin stimulated both VEGF and EG-VEGF mRNA in vitro, but the level of expression was not influenced by progesterone. These results establish that in the human corpus luteum EG-VEGF is principally derived from granulosa lutein cells and that its synthesis is highest during the mid- to late luteal phase.     

Progesterone secretion by luteinizing human granulosa cells: a possible cAMP-dependent but PKA-independent mechanism involved in its regulation

The corpus luteum formed after luteinization of follicular cells secretes progesterone under the control of luteinizing hormone (LH). Binding of LH to its G-protein-coupled receptor leads to the activation of the adenylate cyclase/ cyclic AMP (cAMP)/cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) signalling pathway. The identification of a new class of cAMP-binding proteins termed 'guanine nucleotide exchange factors' (cAMP-GEFs) provides a means by which changes in cAMP could yield actions that are independent of PKA. Hence, in this study, we have explored the hypothesis that steroidogenesis in luteinizing cells is mediated in both a cAMP/PKA-dependent and cAMP-dependent, but PKA-independent, manner. Human granulosa cells were isolated from follicular aspirates of women undergoing assisted conception. Luteinizing human granulosa cells were cultured for up to 3 days in the presence of human (h)LH and the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin in the added presence or absence of increasing doses of the PKA inhibitors H89 (N-[2-(4-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl] 5-isoquinoline) and PKI (myristoylated protein kinase A inhibitor amide 14-22) or the cAMP antagonist, Rp-cAMP. Agonist-stimulated progesterone secretion was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the PKA inhibitors and the cAMP antagonist, with decreasing sensitivity as luteinization progressed. Pretreatment of granulosa cells for 4 h with human (h)LH reduced the effectiveness of H89 in inhibiting progesterone secretion. Under basal conditions, cAMP-GEFI expression increased progressively throughout culture, and this could be further enhanced when cells were incubated with increasing doses of LH and forskolin. Furthermore, incubation of cells in the presence of increasing concentrations of the novel cAMP-GEF-specific cAMP analogue, 8 CPT-2 ME-cAMP (8-(4-chloro-phenylthio)-2'-0-methyladenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate), increased progesterone secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The results show that increases in cAMP generated by LH and forskolin, in addition to activating PKA, also induce increases in cAMP-GEFI protein expression in luteinizing human granulosa cells. In addition, activation of cAMP-GEFI results in increased progesterone secretion. Hence, increases in cAMP lead to the activation of PKA-dependent, as well as PKA-independent but cAMP-dependent (via cAMP-GEFI), signalling mechanisms. Since cAMP-GEFs have the capacity to activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/protein kinase B (PKB) signalling pathways, these may provide the potential mechanisms by which cAMP-dependent but PKA-independent progesterone synthesis is regulated.     

Differentiation of rat ovarian thecal cells: evidence for functional luteinization

To determine if thecal cells of rat preovulatory (PO) follicles become functionally luteinized, theca from small antral (SA) and PO follicles were isolated before and 8 h after iv injection of an ovulatory dose (10 IU) of hCG. Thecal explants were cultured for 30 days in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium-Ham's F-12 medium containing 1% fetal calf serum (FCS) with or without 5 ng/ml ovine LH or 10 microM forskolin. Whereas theca from SA, hCG-treated SA, and PO follicles were dependent on LH or forskolin to maintain progesterone (greater than 10 ng/ml) and androstenedione (greater than 10 ng/ml) accumulation, luteinizing theca (hCG-treated PO) accumulated more than 10 ng/ml progesterone and more than 2 ng/ml androstenedione with or without LH or forskolin for 30 days. Granulosa cells were isolated from these same follicles and cultured under similar conditions, including 10 ng/ml testosterone and 25 ng/ml ovine FSH. Only granulosa cells isolated from luteinizing follicles (hCG-treated PO) maintained progesterone (greater than 20 ng/ml) and estradiol (10 ng/ml) accumulation with or without FSH or forskolin for 30 days. Basal concentrations of cAMP were 5 to 10-fold higher in thecal and granulosa cells from luteinizing follicles than in these tissues isolated from SA or PO follicles. We conclude that thecal cells as well as granulosa cells of rat PO follicles respond to the LH/hCG surge by becoming functionally luteinized, less dependent on LH, and capable of maintaining an increased accumulation of basal cAMP. Furthermore, the data suggest that one luteinizing thecal explant produces a similar amount of progesterone as one follicle equivalent of luteinizing granulosa cells. Thus, luteinized theca have the potential of contributing significantly to progesterone secretion by the mature rat corpus luteum.     

Regulation of steroidogenesis by p53 in macaque granulosa cells and H295R human adrenocortical cells

Ovulation and formation of a functional corpus luteum in primates involve cascades of events, including increased progesterone synthesis and changes in granulosa cell proliferation. However, critical gaps remain in our understanding of how an ovulatory gonadotropin surge initiates these processes. To more fully elucidate changes in the cell cycle during luteal formation, the actions of the tumor suppressor p53 were examined. Rhesus macaque granulosa cells were isolated during controlled ovarian stimulation protocols before (nonluteinized) or after (luteinized) an ovulatory gonadotropin stimulus. Phosphorylated p53 protein was detected in the cytoplasm of granulosa cells before and after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment, whereas granulosa cells from hormonally controlled rats did not express p53 before or after hCG. Treatment of nonluteinized macaque granulosa cells with hCG and the p53 inhibitor pifithrin-alpha (PFT) in vitro did not alter markers of the cell cycle, including proliferating cell nuclear antigen, p21, and human double minute (HDM)-2 expression compared with hCG alone. Levels of pregnenolone and progesterone increased 2- and 4-fold, respectively, within 6 h of hCG treatment, whereas PFT completely blocked this hCG-induced effect. Estradiol was increased transiently (>10-fold) by hCG plus PFT relative to levels after hCG alone. PFT also inhibited hCG-induced increases in steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNAs. Similar results were obtained using the human adrenocortical cell line H295R, suggesting that p53 may have a general function in primate steroidogenesis. These data indicate that p53 plays a key role in luteinization of the primate ovarian follicle though the regulation of steroidogenic enzymes leading to progesterone synthesis.