title: Semaphorin-4D (Sema-4D), the Plexin-B1 ligand, is involved in mouse ovary follicular development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human Plexin-B1 is expressed in two truncated forms. The long form encodes a trans-membranal protein, while the short form, which is bound to the cell surface and partially secreted, possibly serves as a decoy receptor. Plexin receptors are trans-membrane proteins. The sema domain, found in the extracellular region, is common to all plexins, semaphorins, and the scatter factor receptors and is crucial for the biological activity and plexin receptor specificity. Semaphorin-4D/Plexin-B1 binding provides attractive and repulsive cues for the navigation of axonal growth cones, and new studies suggest that this system also plays a role in the regulation of the biological functions of endothelial cells, specifically in the control of angiogenesis. In a previous study, we have demonstrated the expression and possible role of Plexin-B1 in the mouse ovary. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that Plexin-B1 effects are mediated by Semaphorin-4D.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vivo expression and localization of mouse ovarian Sema-4D were tested by immunohisto-chemistry. The role of Sema-4D in follicular development was examined by in vitro growth of preantral follicles in the presence or absence of Semaphorin-4D, with or without neutralizing antibodies against Plexin-B1. Follicular growth and steroid hormone secretion rates were tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Semaphorin-4D is expressed in the mouse ovary in vivo mostly in the granulosa cells and and its expression is modulated by PMSG and hCG. In the presence of Semaphorin-4D, in-vitro constant growth was observed as indicated by follicular diameter during the culture period and elevated steroid hormone secretion rates compared with control. These effects were abolished after addition of neutralizing antibodies against Plexin-B1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the ovarian follicle, the effect of Plexin-B1 is mediated by sema-4D.
authors: Laboratory for Research in Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ha'Emek Medical Center, 18101, Afula, Israel. avital.regev@gmail.com
authors: Avital
authors: A
authors: Regev
authors: Shlomit
authors: S
authors: Goldman
authors: Eliezer
authors: E
authors: Shalev
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D015703:Antigens, CD; C093224:CD100 antigen; D008024:Ligands; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C492118:Plxnb1 protein, mouse; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D039961:Semaphorins; D013256:Steroids