Juvenile granulosa cell tumour of the ovary containing a nodule of Wilms'' tumour

We describe a very unusual case of an ovarian juvenile granulosa cell tumour containing a discrete nodule of Wilms' tumour. The tumour occurred in a 20-year-old woman and was associated with androgen secretion.     

The presence of midkine and its possible implication in human ovarian follicles

PROBLEM: Ovarian follicles undergo a dynamic change to provide a mature ovum, and the process involves angiogenesis, follicular cell proliferation and leukocyte recruitment. Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor that has angiogenic, mitogenic, and chemotactic activities. In the present study, we investigated the presence of MK and its possible role in human ovarian follicles. METHOD OF STUDY: Follicular fluid (FF) and luteinized granulosa cells (LGC) were collected from women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Expression of MK protein in FF was examined by Western blotting. Concentrations of MK, estradiol and oxygen in FF were measured. 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay was performed in LGC. Normal ovarian tissues were obtained surgically and used in in-situ hybridization of MK mRNA. RESULTS: The presence of MK protein was verified in FF. MK mRNA was expressed in both granulosa cells and theca cells of large follicles. There is a significant negative correlation between the concentrations of MK and oxygen in FF, and a significant positive correlation between the concentrations of MK and estradiol. MK promoted BrdU uptake in LGC. CONCLUSION: The present findings imply that hypoxic condition, a characteristic of growing follicles, associates with the production of MK. Given that MK is involved in granulosa cell proliferation and estradiol production in developing follicles, MK may play a role as a local regulator in the human ovary.     

The effects of platelet-activating factor on the secretion of interleukin-8 and growth-regulated oncogene alpha in human immortalized granulosa cell line (GC1a)

PROBLEM: To investigate the role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in human ovulation, we studied the regulation of interleukin (IL)-8 and growth-regulated oncogene (GRO) alpha in cultured human immortalized granulosa cell line (GC1a). METHOD OF STUDY: GC1a was cultured in serum-free medium, and incubated with carbamyl-PAF (C-PAF) and/or PAF receptor antagonist (WEB 2086). The supernatants were collected, and IL-8 and GRO alpha were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: After treatment with C-PAF, the levels of IL-8 and GROalpha increased in a time-dependent manner. The levels of IL-8 and GROalpha were significantly increased after treatment with C-PAF in a dose-dependent manner. However, the levels of IL-8 and GROalpha were significantly decreased by treatment with C-PAF and with increasing concentrations of WEB 2086. CONCLUSION: Our data indicated that IL-8 and GROalpha were regulated by C-PAF. The results suggested that PAF may play an important role in human pre-ovulatory processes involving IL-8 and GROalpha production.     

The Anti-Mullerian hormone and ovarian cancer

The Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), which is produced by fetal Sertoli cells, is responsible for regression of Mullerian ducts, the anlagen for uterus and Fallopian tubes, during male sex differentiation. Ovarian granulosa cells also secrete AMH from late in fetal life. The patterns of expression of AMH and its type II receptor in the post-natal ovary indicate that AMH may play an important role in ovarian folliculogenesis. Recent advances in the physiological role of AMH has stimulated interest in the significance of AMH as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer. Currently, AMH has been shown to be a circulating marker specifically for granulosa cell tumour (GCT). Its diagnostic performance seems to be very good, with a sensitivity ranging between 76 and 93%. In patients treated for GCT, AMH may be used post-operatively as marker for the efficacy of surgery and for disease recurrence. Based on the physiological inhibitory role of AMH in the Mullerian ducts, it has been proposed that AMH may inhibit epithelial ovarian cancer cell both in vitro and in vivo. These observations will be the basis for future research aiming to investigate the possible clinical role of AMH as neo-adjuvant, or most probably adjuvant, therapy for ovarian cancer.     

转化生长因子-β和Smad4在绝经过渡期大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞中的表达

目的 探讨转化生长因子-β（TGF-β）、Smad4 在绝经过渡期大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞中的表达,分析其与卵巢功能衰退的关系。 方法 雌性SD大鼠分为对照组（C组,6月龄,阴道涂片筛选,n=9）、绝经过渡期组（MT组,12~14月龄,阴道涂片筛选,n=8）,大鼠麻醉处死后迅速取出卵巢,采用机械分离方法释放卵泡颗粒细胞,于CO₂培养箱中培养,利用免疫细胞化学法检测促卵泡刺激素受体（FSHR）蛋白的表达,鉴定卵巢颗粒细胞;免疫细胞化学法检测TGF-β、Smad4蛋白在两组卵巢颗粒细胞的表达;采用Real-time PCR的方法检测各组颗粒细胞中TGF-β、Smad4 mRNA的表达。 结果 免疫细胞化学显示分离培养的颗粒细胞纯度＞95%,MT组TGF-β、Smad4蛋白表达水平低于对照组（P<0.05）;Real-time PCR结果显示,两组均有TGF-β、Smad4 mRNA的表达,MT组TGF-β、Smad4 mRNA表达水平显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。 结论 TGF-β、Smad4参与绝经过渡期大鼠卵巢功能的衰退过程,绝经过渡期大鼠功能衰退的部分原因可能与卵巢颗粒细胞中TGF-β、Smad4 的表达降低有关。     

Ovarian action of leptin: effects on insulin-like growth factor-I-stimulated function of granulosa and thecal cells

To test the hypothesis that leptin signals metabolic information to the reproductive system in cattle by directly affecting IGF-I-induced ovarian cell function, granulosa and thecal cells from bovine ovarian follicles were cultured for 2 d in serum-free medium with added hormones. Recombinant human leptin at 30 and 300 ng/mL had no effect on basal thecal cell steroidogenesis or thecal cell numbers. However, 300 but not 30 ng/mL of leptin attenuated (p<0.05) luteinizing hormone-induced androstenedione production by 24% in the absence of IGF-I and by 16% in the presence of IGF-I. Leptin had no effect on IGF-I-induced estradiol production in the presence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), but at 100 ng/mL, leptin inhibited (p<0.05) FSH plus IGF-I-induced progesterone production and granulosa cell proliferation by 29 and 31%, respectively. Leptin did not compete for ¹²⁵I-IGF-I binding to granulosa or thecal cells, whereas unlabeled IGF-I did. In conclusion, leptin has weak inhibitory effects on gonadotropin-and/or IGF-I-induced steroidogenesis of thecal and granulosa cells.     

The clinical utility of serum anti‐Müllerian hormone in the follow‐up of ovarian adult‐type granulosa cell tumors—A comparative study with inhibin B

Ovarian adult‐type granulosa cell tumors (AGCTs) require prolonged follow‐up, but evidence regarding the optimal follow‐up marker is lacking. The objective of our study was to validate the clinical usefulness of serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) and the current marker inhibin B as single and combined markers of AGCTs. We conducted a longitudinal, partially prospective cohort study of 123 premenopausal and postmenopausal AGCT patients with a median follow‐up time of 10.5 years (range 0.3–50.0 years). Serum AMH and inhibin B levels were measured from 560 pretreatment and follow‐up serum samples by using immunoenzymometric assays. We found that serum AMH and inhibin B levels were significantly elevated in patients with primary or recurrent AGCTs. The levels of both markers positively correlated to tumor size (p < 0.05). AMH and inhibin B performed similarly in receiving operator characteristic analyses; area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88–0.95] for AMH, and 0.94 (95% CI 0.90–0.96) for inhibin B. AMH was highly sensitive (92%) and specific (81%) in detecting a macroscopic AGCT. However, in AUC comparison analyses, the combination of the markers was superior to inhibin B alone. In conclusion, serum AMH is a sensitive and specific marker of AGCT, and either AMH or inhibin B can be monitored during follow‐up. However, combining AMH and inhibin B in AGCT patient follow‐up improves the detection of recurrent disease.     

细胞凋亡途径探讨二仙汤治疗大鼠卵巢早衰实验研究

目的：通过卵泡颗粒细胞的凋亡途径探讨二仙汤对化疗性损伤卵巢早衰的影响。方法：将SD大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、阳性组和二仙汤组,腹腔注射顺铂建立化疗性损伤大鼠卵巢早衰动物模型。造模后连续4周各组灌胃给予相应药物治疗。观察大鼠一般情况;测定血清中E2、FSH、LH和Pro含量;观察卵巢组织形态;TUNEL法分析卵泡颗粒细胞的凋亡;免疫组化检测BAX、Bcl-2和VEGF蛋白的表达情况。结果：模型组体质量下降,动情周期紊乱,治疗后体质量增加,动情周期恢复。与正常组比较,模型组E2、LH下降,FSH水平升高,Pro含量各组比较无显著差异。TUNEL检测模型组较正常组阳性表达增多,二仙汤组较模型组阳性表达减少。模型组较正常组BAX表达明显升高,Bcl-2下降,二仙汤治疗后与模型组比较BAX表达量下降,Bcl-2表达升高;VEGF蛋白在模型组中表达明显低于正常组,二仙汤组较模型组表达增多,阳性组表达略有恢复。结论：顺铂可致卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡,造成卵巢功能过早衰退;二仙汤通过调节血清中各激素含量,改变凋亡细胞相关蛋白的表达量来降低顺铂对卵巢的损害,促进卵泡发育,改善并增强卵巢功能。     

携带Bcl-2基因的慢病毒对原代培养的人卵巢颗粒细胞的影响

目的探讨携带Bcl-2基因的慢病毒对体外培养的原代人卵巢颗粒细胞感染效率及对细胞凋亡的影响。方法构建携带Bcl-2基因的慢病毒载体,包装成高滴度慢病毒,将重组慢病毒在体外分别以不同感染复数(MOI)值(10、50、100、200、400)感染人卵巢原代颗粒细胞,观察感染24、48、72、96h后的感染效率及细胞增殖情况;将人卵巢颗粒培养24h后,分为3组。实验组:加MOI值为100的重组慢病毒GC-FU-Bcl-2;空白对照组:不加病毒;空载体对照组:加空载病毒GC-FU-EGFP。转染后第3、7天,采用Western blotting及反转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)分别检测目的基因Bcl-2在人卵巢原代颗粒细胞中的蛋白及mRNA的表达水平。同时转染后第3天采用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况。结果原代培养的人卵巢颗粒细胞24h即贴壁,集落样生长,呈多角形或梭形;当MOI为100时,细胞的形态和生长不受影响,且感染效率较高,感染后72h达高峰,感染率达60%。携带Bcl-2基因的慢病毒感染靶细胞后,实验组中检测到Bcl-2基因及蛋白的表达,且卵巢颗粒细胞的凋亡率明显低于空载体对照组。结论携带Bcl-2基因的慢病毒感染原代培养的人卵巢颗粒细胞后可过度分泌Bcl-2蛋白,抑制细胞凋亡。     

Regulation of aromatase activity of rat granulosa cells: induction of synthesis of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase by FSH and dibutyryl cyclic AMP

Aromatase is an enzyme complex that is composed of a specific form of cytochrome P-450 and a flavoprotein, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Aromatase activity of granulosa cells is increased markedly by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and by analogs of cyclic AMP. It was the objective of the present study to investigate the effects of FSH and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt₂cAMP) on the synthesis of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in rat granulosa cells maintained in vitro. Granulosa cells were obtained from the ovaries of diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated immature rats and were incubated in the presence of DES (10⁻⁷ M), DES + FSH (250 ng/ml), or DES + Bt₂cAMP (1 mM) for up to 72 h. After 72 h of incubation, aromatase activity of cells incubated with DES alone was 5 pmoles estrogen formed 2 h⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein and was increased > 60-fold in cells incubated with FSH or Bt₂cAMP. NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was immunoisolated from [³⁵S]methionine-labeled lysates of granulosa cells incubated for 72 h in the absence or presence of stimulatory factors. The rate of synthesis of reductase was found to be increased about 3-fold in cells incubated with DES + FSH or DES + Bt₂cAMP as compared to cells incubated with DES alone. By immunoblot analysis we found that the cellular content of reductase was increased about 2-fold by FSH and Bt₂cAMP treatment. Reductase specific activity was 10 nmoles min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein in membrane fractions of DES-treated cells and was increased 1.6-fold by FSH treatment. These findings are indicative that FSH increases the rate of synthesis, cellular content and specific activity of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in rat granulosa cells in vitro. The finding that Bt₂cAMP causes a similar induction of reductase synthesis is suggestive that the stimulatory effect of FSH on this component of the aromatase enzyme complex is mediated by an increase in cyclic AMP formation.