Project description:Luteolysis of the corpus luteum (CL) during non-fertile cycles involves a cessation of progesterone (P4) synthesis (functional regression) and subsequent structural remodeling. The molecular processes responsible for initiation of luteal regression in the primate CL are poorly defined. Therefore, a genomic approach was utilized to systematically identify differentially expressed genes in the rhesus macaque CL during spontaneous luteolysis. CL were collected prior to (days 10-11 post-LH surge, mid-late [ML] stage) or during (days 14-16, late stage) functional regression. Based on P4 levels, late stage CL were subdivided into functional late (FL, serum P4 > 1.5 ng/ml) and functionally-regressed late (FRL, serum P4 < 0.5 ng/ml) groups (n=4 CL/group). Total RNA was isolated, labeled and hybridized to Affymetrix genome microarrays that contain elements representing the entire rhesus macaque transcriptome. With the ML stage serving as the baseline, there were 681 differentially expressed transcripts (>2-fold change; p< 0.05) that could be categorized into three primary patterns of expression: 1) increasing from ML through FRL, 2) decreasing from ML through FRL, and 3) increasing ML to FL, followed by a decrease in FRL. Ontology analysis revealed potential mechanisms and pathways associated with functional and/or structural regression of the macaque CL. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate microarray expression patterns of 13 genes with the results being consistent between the two methodologies. Protein levels were found to parallel mRNA profiles in 4 of 5 differentially expressed genes analyzed by Western blot. Thus, this database will facilitate the identification of mechanisms involved in primate luteal regression. Keywords: time course plus functional state of corpus luteum The first experimental factor is the stage of the luteal phase when the CL was collected. There were two stages: 1) between days 10-12 post LH-surge (mid-late stage), and 2) days 14-16 (late stage). The mid-late stage is a transitionary period where CL are still functional (i.e., producing significant quantities of P4) but are nearing the time when luteolysis initiates in non-conception cycles, and the late stage corresponds to the normal period when functional regression (cessation of P4 secretion) occurs in non-conception cycles. The second experimental factor is the functional state of the CL which was determined by measuring serum concentrations of P4 at the time of CL collection. Late stage CL with serum P4 levels > 1.5 ng/ml were considered to be functional, and those with serum P4 < 0.5 ng/ml were considered to have completed functional regression. Measuring mRNA levels in CL collected from these groups provides a comprehensive analysis of the primate transcriptome throughout the normal period of functional regression in the macaque CL. There were 12 biological replicates: n = 4 per group, 3 groups in total. The mid-late CL were used as the baseline reference for gene expression.

Project description:The LH-like molecule chorionic gonadotropin (CG) is secreted by the macaque conceptus during and following implantation, M-bM-^@M-^\rescuingM-bM-^@M-^] the CL from impending regression and extending its functional lifespan in early pregnancy for approximately two weeks. CG binds to the same receptor as LH; i.e., LHCGR, and promotes production of steroids and other factors such as relaxin (RLN1). Our research group recently used AffymetrixM-bM-^DM-" rhesus macaque total genome arrays to compare the effects of CG on the luteal transcriptome from rhesus females during simulated early pregnancy (SEP) with changes during luteal regression in the non-fecund menstrual cycle. This analysis demonstrated that CG-rescue affected expression levels of 4,500 mRNA transcripts between days 10 and 15 of the luteal phase. Previous analyses indicated that a portion of the transcriptome in the macaque CL of the menstrual cycle was regulated indirectly by LH via the local actions of steroid hormones, including progesterone (P). Therefore, this study was designed to distinguish CG-regulated luteal genes that are dependent versus independent of local steroid (P) action. A protocol of increasing dosages of hCG (SEP) was begun on day 9 of the luteal phase in rhesus females combined with concurrent administration of the 3BHSD inhibitor trilostane (TRL) +/- the synthetic progestin (P) R5020. CL were collected on day 10 (no treatment) of the luteal phase to serve as a baseline comparison (n=8), 1 day of SEP (Day 10+hCG+/-TRL+/-R5020) and 6 days of SEP (Day 15+hCG+/-TRL+/-R5020); n=4/group. In the presence of CG, treatment with TRL reduced serum P levels to less than 1 ng/ ml after 1 day and all of the Day 15+h+TRL-treated females initiated menses before CL collection. The isolated CL were processed for total RNA and hybridized to microarrays. Compared to hCG treatment alone, 50 significantly altered mRNA transcripts were identified on day 10, rising to 95 on day 15 (P<0.05, M-bM-^IM-% 2-fold change in gene expression). The mRNA levels for several genes were validated in CL by real-time PCR. RNL1 levels increased with CG-treatment, but were not affected by steroid ablation, similar to previously reported relaxin protein expression. Steroid-sensitive genes included CDH11, IL1RN, INSL3, LDLR, OPA1, SERPINE1, SFRP4, and TNSF13B1; however differential sensitivity was observed and effects of steroid ablation and P replacement varied by day. Expression of some genes (e.g., 3BHSD2, ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5, MMP9, STAR, and VEGFA) previously identified as steroid regulated in the macaque CL during the menstrual cycle were not significantly altered by steroid ablation and P replacement during CG exposure in SEP. These data indicate that the majority of CG-regulated luteal transcripts are differentially expressed independently of local steroid actions. The proportion of steroid sensitive mRNA transcripts in the presence of CG is much smaller than in the presence of LH during the non-fecund cycle. Nevertheless, the steroid-regulated genes in the macaque CL may be essential during early pregnancy, based on the previous report that TRL treatment initiates premature structural regression of the CL during SEP. These data reinforce the concept that the structure, function, and regulation of the rescued CL in early pregnancy is different from the CL of the menstrual cycle. A protocol of increasing dosages of hCG (SEP) was begun on day 9 of the luteal phase in rhesus females combined with concurrent administration of the 3BHSD inhibitor trilostane (TRL) +/- the synthetic progestin (P) R5020. CL were collected on day 10 (no treatment) of the luteal phase to serve as a baseline comparison (n=8), 1 day of SEP (Day 10+hCG+/-TRL+/-R5020) and 6 days of SEP (Day 15+hCG+/-TRL+/-R5020); n=4/group.The isolated CL were processed for total RNA and hybridized to Affymetrix Rhesus Genome microarrays.

Project description:The molecular and cellular processes required for development, function, and regression of the primate corpus luteum (CL) are poorly defined. We hypothesized that there are dynamic changes in gene expression occurring during the CL lifespan, which represent proteins and pathways critical to its regulation. Therefore, a genomic approach was utilized to systematically identify differentially expressed genes in the rhesus macaque CL during the luteal phase of natural menstrual cycles. CL were collected between days 3-5 (early stage), 7-8 (mid), 10-12 (mid-late), 14-16 (late), or 18-19 (very-late) after the midcycle LH surge. From the early through very-late stages, 3234 transcripts were differentially expressed, with 879 occurring from the early through late stages that encompass the processes of luteinization, maintenance, and functional regression. To characterize gene changes most relevant to these processes, ontology analysis was performed using the list of 879 differentially expressed transcripts. Four main groups of related genes were identified with relevance to luteal physiology including: 1) immune function; 2) hormone and growth factor signaling; 3) steroidogenesis; and 4) prostaglandin biosynthesis, metabolism, and signaling. A subset of genes representing each of the four major categories was selected for validation of microarray results by quantitative real-time PCR. Results in mRNA levels were similar between the two methodologies for 17 of 18 genes. Additionally, protein levels for 3 genes were determined by Western blot analysis to parallel mRNA levels. This database will facilitate the identification of many novel or previously underappreciated pathways that regulate the structure and function of the primate CL. Keywords: time course The sole experimental factor is the stage of the luteal phase when the CL was collected. There were five stages: 1) between days 3-5 post LH-surge (early stage), 2) 7-8 (mid stage), 3) 10-12 (mid-late stage), 4) 14-16 (late stage), and 5) 18-19 (very-late stage). The early CL are undergoing luteinization, the mid are fully functional CL that are at their peak progesterone producing capacity, the mid-late stage is a transitionary period where CL are still producing significant quantities of progesterone but are nearing the time when luteolysis initiates in non-conception cycles, the late stage corresponds to CL undergoing functional regression (cessation of progesterone secretion), and the very-late stage (menses) is when the structural remodeling and apoptosis associated with luteolysis is occurring. Measuring mRNA levels in CL collected during these periods provides a comprehensive analysis of the primate transcriptome throughout CL lifespan. There were 20 biological replicates: n = 4 per stage, 5 stages in total. The early CL were used as the baseline reference for gene expression.

Project description:This study was designed to provide a genome-wide analysis of the effects of luteinizing hormone (LH) ablation/replacement versus steroid ablation/replacement on gene expression in the developed corpus luteum (CL) in primates during the menstrual cycle. Naturally cycling, female rhesus monkeys were left untreated (Control; n = 4) or received one of the following treatments for three days beginning on Day 9 of the luteal phase: daily injection of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (Antide; n = 5), Antide + recombinant human LH (A+LH; n = 4), Antide + LH + the 3b-HSD antagonist Trilostane (A+LH+TRL; n = 4), and Antide + LH + TRL + progesterone replacement with a synthetic progestin R5020 (A+LH+TRL+ R5020; n = 5). On Day 12 of the luteal phase, CL were removed and samples of RNA from individual CL were fluorescently labeled and hybridized to Affymetrix™ rhesus macaque total genome microarrays. The greatest number of altered transcripts was associated with the ablation/replacement of LH, while ablation/replacement of progestin affected fewer transcripts. Replacement of LH during Antide treatment restored expression of most transcripts to control levels. Real-time PCR validation of a subset of transcripts revealed that most expression patterns were similar between microarray and real-time PCR. Analysis of protein levels were subsequently determined for 2 of the transcripts differentially expressed by real-time PCR. This is the first genome-wide analysis of LH and steroid regulation of gene transcription in the developed primate CL. Further analysis of novel transcripts identified in this data set can clarify the relative role for LH and steroids in CL maintenance and luteolysis. Keywords: LH/steroid ablation/replacement in primate mid-late luteal phase corpora lutea 22 samples from Rhesus Macaque corpus luteum hybridized to individual Rhesus Affymentrix Gene Chip Arrays. 5 treatment groups, with at least 4 replicates per treatment.

Project description:The LH-like molecule chorionic gonadotropin (CG) is secreted by the macaque conceptus during and following implantation, “rescuing” the CL from impending regression and extending its functional lifespan in early pregnancy for approximately two weeks. CG binds to the same receptor as LH; i.e., LHCGR, and promotes production of steroids and other factors such as relaxin (RLN1). Our research group recently used Affymetrix™ rhesus macaque total genome arrays to compare the effects of CG on the luteal transcriptome from rhesus females during simulated early pregnancy (SEP) with changes during luteal regression in the non-fecund menstrual cycle. This analysis demonstrated that CG-rescue affected expression levels of 4,500 mRNA transcripts between days 10 and 15 of the luteal phase. Previous analyses indicated that a portion of the transcriptome in the macaque CL of the menstrual cycle was regulated indirectly by LH via the local actions of steroid hormones, including progesterone (P). Therefore, this study was designed to distinguish CG-regulated luteal genes that are dependent versus independent of local steroid (P) action. A protocol of increasing dosages of hCG (SEP) was begun on day 9 of the luteal phase in rhesus females combined with concurrent administration of the 3BHSD inhibitor trilostane (TRL) +/- the synthetic progestin (P) R5020. CL were collected on day 10 (no treatment) of the luteal phase to serve as a baseline comparison (n=8), 1 day of SEP (Day 10+hCG+/-TRL+/-R5020) and 6 days of SEP (Day 15+hCG+/-TRL+/-R5020); n=4/group. In the presence of CG, treatment with TRL reduced serum P levels to less than 1 ng/ ml after 1 day and all of the Day 15+h+TRL-treated females initiated menses before CL collection. The isolated CL were processed for total RNA and hybridized to microarrays. Compared to hCG treatment alone, 50 significantly altered mRNA transcripts were identified on day 10, rising to 95 on day 15 (P<0.05, ≥ 2-fold change in gene expression). The mRNA levels for several genes were validated in CL by real-time PCR. RNL1 levels increased with CG-treatment, but were not affected by steroid ablation, similar to previously reported relaxin protein expression. Steroid-sensitive genes included CDH11, IL1RN, INSL3, LDLR, OPA1, SERPINE1, SFRP4, and TNSF13B1; however differential sensitivity was observed and effects of steroid ablation and P replacement varied by day. Expression of some genes (e.g., 3BHSD2, ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5, MMP9, STAR, and VEGFA) previously identified as steroid regulated in the macaque CL during the menstrual cycle were not significantly altered by steroid ablation and P replacement during CG exposure in SEP. These data indicate that the majority of CG-regulated luteal transcripts are differentially expressed independently of local steroid actions. The proportion of steroid sensitive mRNA transcripts in the presence of CG is much smaller than in the presence of LH during the non-fecund cycle. Nevertheless, the steroid-regulated genes in the macaque CL may be essential during early pregnancy, based on the previous report that TRL treatment initiates premature structural regression of the CL during SEP. These data reinforce the concept that the structure, function, and regulation of the rescued CL in early pregnancy is different from the CL of the menstrual cycle.

Dataset Information

LXR target genes in rhesus macaque luteal cells

Dataset's files

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets