Possible ramifications of the identification of ovarian follicular granulosa cells as specialized endothelial-like cells: a speculative treatise.
This article presents several possible extensions and considerations stemming from the putative identification of cells of the ovarian follicular granulosa as specialized endothelial-like cells. The epithelial assignment for cells of the follicular granulosa is of limited value and potentially confusing. Phenotypic and biological evidence suggests some follicle cells may represent a 'primitive', or quasi-differentiated, cell population. Other evidence suggests that cells of the follicular granulosa produce a range of molecules whose synthesis may be affected by hypoxia; some of these molecules may play strategic roles during follicular maturation, ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum. Just as follicle cells appear capable of endothelial cell-like behaviour(s), endothelial cells appear capable of engaging in some activities essential to follicular function, including steroid hormone receptivity, hyaluronic acid synthesis and steroidogenesis. A consideration of the cells of the follicle as a specialized endothelial-like cell population may have important clinical applications with respect to the anomalies and pathologies associated with human infertility. In addition, the cells of the follicular granulosa may represent an unusual and potentially powerful model system with which to study and extend the scope of our current understanding of basic endothelial cell biology.
Antczak
M
M
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.