title: Detection of RUNX2 gene expression in cumulus cells in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  RUNX2 is a transcription factor, whose expression has been recently identified in the mouse ovary. Regulation of RUNX2 expression and its function in the human ovary have not been determined yet. The aim of the present study is the investigation of the possible correlation between RUNX2 gene expression in cumulus cells and controlled ovarian stimulation and pregnancy outcomes after ART treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 41 patients undergoing ICSI treatment for male factor infertility were enrolled into a specific ART program, during which cumulus cells were collected. The expression of RUNX2 gene in cumulus cells was examined by real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concerning RUNX2 gene expression, 12 out of 41 women were detected with RUNX2 expression, with ratios ranging from 0.84 to 1.00, while 28 out of 41 women had no expression (ratio = 0). Only 1 woman presented a weak RUNX2 gene expression (ratio = 0.52). From 8 women that proceeded to pregnancy, 7 of them did not express RUNX2 gene in cumulus cells, while one was the woman with weak gene expression that also achieved pregnancy. The group of women without RUNX2 expression presented higher number of follicles (p = 0.013), higher number of retrieved oocytes (p = 0.016), higher basal LH serum levels (p = 0.016) and higher peak estradiol levels (p = 0.013), while the number of fertilized oocytes differed marginally between the two groups (p = 0.089). Moreover, RUNX2 expression was negatively associated with LH levels (OR = 0.22, p = 0.021) and E2 levels (OR = 0.25, p = 0.026).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consequently, based on the preliminary findings of the present pilot study a potential inhibitory mechanism of RUNX2 gene is observed in the ovary when high mRNA levels are detected, suggesting that RUNX2 could possibly be used as a candidate genetic marker in the monitoring of the outcome of an ART treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Reproduction, IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Myrto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papamentzelopoulou
authors.forename: Despina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mavrogianni
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dinopoulou
authors.forename: Haralampos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Theofanakis
authors.forename: Fotodotis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Malamas
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marinopoulos
authors.forename: Ritsa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bletsa
authors.forename: Elli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anagnostou
authors.forename: Kostas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kallianidis
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Loutradis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
chemical_list: D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; C493709:RUNX2 protein, human; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone