title: HSP90 antibodies: a detrimental factor responsible for ovarian dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Earlier studies from our group have established that about 47% cases of autoimmune ovarian failure are due to presence of autoantibodies to Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90). However, there are no reports correlating pathological effects of HSP90 autoantibodies leading to ovarian failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antibodies to HSP90 in female mouse model were generated by active immunization with an immunodominant peptide of HSP90, followed by detailed analysis of several reproductive parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Estrous cyclicity remains unchanged; however, there was a significant drop in the fertility index due to an increase in pre- and post-implantation loss, associated with an increased incidence of degenerated eggs and embryos. The ovaries showed an increase in the number of empty and degenerated follicles and extensive granulosa cell deaths, which was reflected by the decrease in the levels of Nobox and Gja1 gene expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study underlines a critical role played by HSP90 in ovarian folliculogenesis and highlights the implications of the presence of anti-HSP90 antibodies in infertile women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gamete Immuno Biology, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR), Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Asmita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Choudhury
authors.forename: Vrinda V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Khole
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: Autoimmune ovarian failure; Heat Shock Protein 90; Ovarian folliculogenesis