title: NADPH oxidase-4 and MATER expressions in granulosa cells: Relationships with ovarian aging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Relevant roles in follicular development and ovulation are played by maternal antigen that embryos require (MATER), product of a maternal effect gene, and by reactive oxygen species (ROS), indispensable for the induction of ovulatory genes. At the moment, the relationship between these two biological systems and their involvement in the ovarian aging have not been still clarified. The aim of the current experimental study was to analyse the age-related changes of the MATER and NOX proteins.
  
  
  METHODS
  MATER and ROS homeostasis was studied in granulosa cells (GCs) and cumulus cells (CCs) of infertile patients who undergone oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization cycles using Western blot and confocal immunofluorescence analysis. Samples were obtained from subjects with age≥40years (cases) and with age≤37years (controls).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression pattern of MATER and NOX observed in GCs was not different from that observed in CCs. High levels of both proteins were detected in the control samples. A significant lower expression of both MATER and NOX4 was observed in the case versus control samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of MATER and NOX4 proteins are closely related to the follicular development and ovulation with particular regard for ovarian aging.
authors: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: tullia.maraldi@unimore.it.
authors: Tullia
authors: T
authors: Maraldi
authors: Tecnopolo di Mirandola, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: elisa.resca@unimore.it.
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Resca
authors: Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy. Electronic address: nicoli.alessia@asmn.re.it.
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Nicoli
authors: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: francesca.beretti@unimore.it.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Beretti
authors: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: manuela.zavatti@unimore.it.
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Zavatti
authors: Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy. Electronic address: capodanno.francesco@asmn.re.it.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Capodanno
authors: Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy. Electronic address: morini.daria@asmn.re.it.
authors: Daria
authors: D
authors: Morini
authors: Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy. Electronic address: palomba.stefano@asmn.re.it.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Palomba
authors: Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy; University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy. Electronic address: lasala.giovanni@asmn.re.it.
authors: Giovanni B
authors: GB
authors: La Sala
authors: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: anto.depol@unimore.it.
authors: Anto
authors: A
authors: De Pol
mesh_terms: D001324:Autoantigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D000074663:NADPH Oxidase 4; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; C527221:NLRP5 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000074663:NADPH Oxidase 4; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; C498910:NOX4 protein, human
keywords: Granulosa cells; Infertility; MATER; NOX4