Reproductive aging is associated with altered gene expression in human luteinized granulosa cells.
Declining reproductive success with aging is attributable to qualitative and quantitative deterioration in oocytes, which are nurtured by granulosa cells (GCs). This prospective study assesses whether reproductive aging is accompanied by differential gene expression in luteinized GCs from in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. Women with nonovarian infertility etiologies were categorized as younger (< or =30, n = 3) or older (> or =40, n = 3). During oocyte retrieval, mural GCs were isolated; messenger RNA (mRNA) was extracted and transcribed for complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray analysis. Differential gene expression was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Analysis revealed 120 genes were differentially expressed. Three genes were upregulated and 117 were downregulated (including interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-1R2, and IL-6R) in GCs of older versus younger patients. Our data provide evidence of downregulation in IL-1 and IL-6 gene families in luteinized GCs with advancing age. Given previously recognized roles for the IL gene family in folliculogenesis and ovulation, our findings may partly explain ovulatory and luteal dysfunctions associated with reproductive aging.
Hurwitz
Joshua M
JM
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
Jindal
Sangita
S
Greenseid
Keri
K
Berger
Dara
D
Brooks
Andrew
A
Santoro
Nanette
N
Pal
Lubna
L
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger