Effects of exosome-like vesicles on cumulus expansion in pigs in vitro.
Cell-secreted vesicles, such as exosomes, have recently been recognized as mediators of cell communication. A recent study in cattle showed the involvement of exosome-like vesicles in the control of cumulus expansion, a prerequisite process for normal ovulation; however, whether this is the case in other mammalian species is not known. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the presence of exosome-like vesicles in ovarian follicles and their effects on cumulus expansion in vitro in pigs. The presence of exosome-like vesicles in porcine follicular fluid (pFF) was confirmed by transmission electron microscopic observation, the detection of marker proteins, and RNA profiles specific to exosomes. Fluorescently labeled exosome-like vesicles isolated from pFF were incorporated into both cumulus and mural granulosa cells in vitro. Exosome-like vesicles were not capable of inducing cumulus expansion to a degree comparable to that induced by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Moreover, exosome-like vesicles had no significant effects on the expression levels of transcripts required for the normal expansion process (HAS2, TNFAIP6, and PTGS2). Interestingly, FSH-induced expression of HAS2 and TNFAIP6 mRNA, but not of PTGS2 mRNA, was significantly increased by the presence of exosome-like vesicles; however, the degree of FSH-induced expansion was not affected. In addition, porcine exosome-like vesicles had no significant effects on the expansion of mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes. Collectively, the present results suggest that exosome-like vesicles are present in pFF, but they are not efficient in inducing cumulus expansion in pigs.
Laboratory of Applied Genetics, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
Yuta
Y
Matsuno
Asuka
A
Onuma
Yoshie A
YA
Fujioka
Kazuma
K
Yasuhara
Wataru
W
Fujii
Kunihiko
K
Naito
Koji
K
Sugiura
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D055354:Exosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012313:RNA; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone