title: Immune-like mechanisms in ovulation.
abstract: Ovulation is the unique biological process by which a mature oocyte (egg) and surrounding somatic cells, the cumulus cell-oocyte complex (COC), are released from the surface of the ovary into the oviduct for transport and fertilization. Ovulation is similar to an inflammatory response: the follicles become hyperemic, produce prostaglandins and synthesize a hyaluronan-rich extracellular matrix. However, this view of ovulation might be too restrictive and needs to be broadened to encompass the innate immune cell surveillance-response system. This hypothesis is being proposed because ovarian granulosa cells and cumulus cells express and respond to innate immune cell-related surveillance proteins (Toll-like receptors 2 and 4) and cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), during ovulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. joanner@bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: JoAnne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Zhilin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010060:Ovulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors