ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents a significant challenge in women's reproductive health, characterized by disrupted folliculogenesis and ovulatory dysfunction. Central to PCOS pathogenesis are granulosa cells, whose dysfunction contributes to aberrant steroid hormone production and oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction emerges as a key player, influencing cellular energetics, oxidative stress, and steroidogenesis. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) and their exosomes in mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in PCOS granulosa cells. METHODS: Using a rat model of PCOS induced by letrozole, granulosa cells were harvested and cultured. MenSCs and their exosomes were employed to assess their effects on mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress, and estrogen production in PCOS granulosa cells. RESULTS: Results showed diminished mitochondrial biogenesis and increased oxidative stress in PCOS granulosa cells, alongside reduced estrogen production. Treatment with MenSCs and their exosomes demonstrated significant improvements in mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress levels, and estrogen production in PCOS granulosa cells. Further analysis showed MenSCs' superior efficacy over exosomes, attributed to their sustained secretion of bioactive factors. Mechanistically, MenSCs and exosomes activated pathways related to mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidative defense, highlighting their therapeutic potential for PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers insights into granulosa cells mitochondria's role in PCOS pathogenesis and proposes MenSCs and exosomes as a potential strategy for mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in PCOS. Further research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and validate clinical efficacy, presenting promising avenues for addressing PCOS complexity.
Subject(s)
Exosomes , Granulosa Cells , Mitochondria , Oxidative Stress , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/metabolism , Female , Granulosa Cells/metabolism , Exosomes/metabolism , Mitochondria/metabolism , Rats , Animals , Humans , Menstruation , Stem Cells/metabolism , Letrozole/pharmacology , Disease Models, AnimalABSTRACT
Objective: Osteocalcin (OCN) influences spermatogenesis in conjunction with testosterone and estrogen. OCN facilitates the secretion of testosterone by engaging with G protein-coupled receptor class C group 6 member A (GPRC6A) on Leydig cells and with androgen receptors on Sertoli cells. Methods: Adult mice were assigned to the following groups: control; sham I, which received dimethyl sulfoxide for 5 weeks followed by phosphate-buffered saline for 1 month; azoospermia, which was treated with busulfan (40 mg/kg); sham II, which consisted of azoospermic animals that received phosphate-buffered saline for 1 month beginning at the 5-week mark; and the experimental group, which included azoospermic mice treated with OCN (3 ng/g/day) for 1 month. Results: In the mice receiving OCN treatment, immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased expression of androgen receptors and GPRC6A, indicative of enhanced spermatogenesis. Additionally, the expression levels of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element binding protein 1, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, and cytochrome P450 family 11 genes were elevated. However, testosterone levels exhibited no significant differences across groups. Morphometric analysis suggests that OCN may play a crucial role in spermatogenesis, as evidenced by its positive effects on germinal cells and the germinal epithelium in the azoospermia group (p<0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that OCN may serve as a beneficial therapeutic agent for male infertility.
ABSTRACT
RESUMEN: Las células madre de la línea germinal masculina son factores clave para la espermatogénesis masculina y la fertilidad. Las células sustentaculares (células de Sertoli) como células somáticas juegan un papel fundamental en la creación de un microambiente esencial para la auto-renovación y diferenciación de las células de la línea germinal masculina. Las células madre mesenquimales son reconocidas como células auto-renovables y multipotentes capaces de diferenciarse en múltiples tipos de células. La generación de células germinales masculinas a partir de células madre mesenquimales puede proporcionar un método terapéutico para tratar la infertilidad masculina. En este estudio, las células mesenquimales derivadas de la médula ósea (BMMSCs) se recuperaron de la médula ósea de ratones de 6-8 semanas de edad del Instituto de Investigación Médico Naval (NMRI). En el estudio se aislaron las células sustentaculares y se enrriquecieron usando placas revestidas con lectina. Se obtuvo el medio de condición celular después de diferentes intervalos de tiempo. Posteriormente se cultivaron las BMMSC con diferentes concentraciones de SCCM y medio de Eagle modificado por Dulbecco (DMEM) en diversos momentos. Se evaluaron marcadores específicos de células de línea germinal usando la reacción en cadena de polimerasa transcriptasa inversa (RT-PCR) e inmunocitoquímica. Los resultados mostraron que las BMMSCs cultivadas con SCCM durante 48h exhibieron transcritos específicos de línea germinal (Mvh, Iid4, piwil2) (p <0,05) y marcadores (Mvh, Scp3). Nuestros resultados indican que el cultivo de BMMSCs con SCCM puede conducir a la diferenciación efectiva de BMMSCs en células germinales y proporcionar una estrategia de tratamiento para la infertilidad masculina.
SUMMARY: Male germ line stem cells are key factors for male spermatogenesis and fertility. Sustentacular cells (Sertoli cells) as somatic cells play a pivotal role in creating essential microenvironment for the self-renewal and differentiation of the male germ line cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are recognized as self-renewing and multipotent cells able to differentiate into multiple cell types. The generation of male germ cells from mesenchymal stem cells may provide a therapeutic method to treat male infertility. In this study, Bone marrow derived mesenchymal cells (BMMSCs) were retrieved from the bone marrow of 6-8-week old Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice. Sustentacular cells (Sertoli cells) were isolated and made rich using lectin coated plates. Sustentacular cell condition medium (SCCM) was collected after different time intervals. Then the BMMSCs were cultured with different concentration of SCCM and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) at various times. Specific markers of Germ line cells were evaluated by using Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry. The results showed that BMMSCs cultured with SCCM for 48h exhibited germ line specific transcripts (Mvh, Iid4, piwil2) (p< 0.05) and markers (Mvh, Scp3). Our findings represent that culturing BMMSCs with SCCM may lead to effective differentiation of BMMSCs into germline cells and provide a treatment strategy for male infertility.