title: The WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway may be involved in granulosa cell apoptosis from patients with PCOS in North China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Investigate the expressions of WNTs in granulosa cells of PCOS in North China, and explore the possible mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with PCOS (n=40) and controls without PCOS (n=20) were enrolled into the study. The levels of serum sex hormone were detected by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. RT-qPCR was used to measure mRNA levels of WNT family members (WNT1, WNT3, WNT4, WNT5, sFRP4 and sFRP5). The levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of PROG, TES and LH/FSH had difference (p<0.05) on third day of menstrual cycle between PCOS and control groups. After injection of HCG, the levels of LH, E2and PROG had significant difference (p<0.05). The PCOS group had higher transcript levels of WNT1, WNT3 and WNT4 (p<0.05), compared to controls. The level of secreted frizzled-related protein (sFRP4) was lower level in PCOS patients (p<0.05). In addition, we found a significant reduction of the β-catenin as well as the downstream targets (survivin and BMP4) (p<0.05). The level of Bax was significantly higher in PCOS group than in the control group (p<0.05). Above all, the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway might be involved into granulosa cell apoptosis, which may provide a strategy for clinical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, No. 13, Xinmin North Street, Xinghualing District, 030013, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. Electronic address: xueqingwu416@126.com.
authors.forename: X-Q
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, No. 13, Xinmin North Street, Xinghualing District, 030013, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: Y-Q
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, No. 13, Xinmin North Street, Xinghualing District, 030013, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: S-M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, No. 13, Xinmin North Street, Xinghualing District, 030013, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, No. 13, Xinmin North Street, Xinghualing District, 030013, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: X-Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.affiliation: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, No. 13, Xinmin North Street, Xinghualing District, 030013, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: Z-Q
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, No. 13, Xinmin North Street, Xinghualing District, 030013, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
authors.forename: J-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000077022:Survivin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000235:genetics; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000099274:Frizzled-Related Proteins; D000094742:Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000077022:Survivin; D051176:beta Catenin; D000099274:Frizzled-Related Proteins; C525809:BMP4 protein, human; C118723:SFRP4 protein, human; D000094742:Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins; C118511:SFRP5 protein, human
keywords: Cellules granulosa; Granulosa cells; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Syndrome des ovaires polykystiques; Voie de signalisation WNT/β-caténine; WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway