title: RUNX2, GPX3 and PTX3 gene expression profiling in cumulus cells are reflective oocyte/embryo competence and potentially reliable predictors of embryo developmental competence in PCOS patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder in women. The developmental competence of oocytes and embryos in PCOS patients is reduced to a certain extent (comparing to non-PCOS patients, the high quality embryo rate was decreased by 16% from the data of our centre) during the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. Cross-talk between the oocyte and cumulus cells is critical for oocyte maturation and embryo competence. In this study, we have evaluated the transcription of specific genes in cumulus cells harvested from pre-ovulatory follicles of PCOS patients before IVF, according to individual oocyte nuclear maturity and developmental competence. Seven genes (RUNX2, PSAT1, ADAMTS9, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, and ITGB5) were targeted from our previous cDNA microarray data which isolated genes related to oocyte nuclear maturation in PCOS patients. Two additional genes which had been found to be associated with oocyte maturation or embryo quality in non-PCOS patients (GPX3 and PTX3) were also studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  The mRNA expression levels of cumulus cells were detected by qRT- PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistent with our previous cDNA microarray data, with the exception of GPX3 and PTX3, the selected 7 genes were related to oocyte nuclear maturation in PCOS patients. Noticeably, the expression level of RUNX2 was lower in cumulus cells derived from oocytes that could develop into blastocysts than the level of expression from oocytes that could not. The PTX3 expression level was significantly lower in cumulus cells from oocytes with two normal pronuclei than that from oocytes that formed >2 pronuclei (MPN) after fertilization. GPX3 mRNA levels were decreased in cumulus cells isolated from oocytes that developed into blastocysts with high potential development competence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several cumulus cell genes were associated with oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo quality in PCOS patients. RUNX2 and GPX3 are candidate genetic markers in the monitoring of embryo quality for PCOS patients, whereas PTX3 mainly played a role in fertilization process. Together with morphological evaluation, cumulus cells genes may serve as biomarkers of oocyte and embryo selection during the IVF process for PCOS patients and may advance our understanding of PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical University, Yuhuangding Hospital of Yantai, 20 Yuhuangding Road East, Yantai, Shandong, China. cuifanghao@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Cuifang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Xiaofang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Yuhua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000099153:Pentraxins
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins; C493709:RUNX2 protein, human; C486484:GPX3 protein, human