Project description:Exosomes and microvesicles (i.e., extracellular vesicles; EVs) have been identified within ovarian follicular fluid, and recent evidence suggests that EVs are able to elicit profound effects on ovarian cell function. While existence of miRNA within EVs has been reported, it remains unknown if EV size and concentration as well as their cargos (i.e., proteins and RNA) change during antral follicle growth. Extracellular vesicles isolated from follicular fluid of small, medium and large bovine follicles were similar in size, while concentration of EVs decreased progressively as follicle size increased. Electron microscopy indicated a highly purified population of the lipid bilayer enclosed vesicles that were enriched in exosome biomarkers including CD81 and Alix. Small RNA sequencing identified a large number of known and novel miRNAs that changed in the EVs of different size follicles. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) indicated that miRNA abundant in small follicle EV preparations were associated with cell proliferation pathways, while those miRNA abundant in large follicle preparations were related to inflammatory response pathways. These studies are the first to demonstrate that EVs change in their levels and makeup during antral follicle development and point to the potential for a unique vesicle-mediated cell-to-cell communication network within the ovarian follicle. Examination of small RNA population in bovine follicular fluid extracellular vesicles isolated from antral follicles
Project description:The goal of this experiment was to determine the RNA contents of extracellular vesicles isolated from 3-6mm bovine ovarian follicles.
Project description:Exosomes and microvesicles (i.e., extracellular vesicles; EVs) have been identified within ovarian follicular fluid, and recent evidence suggests that EVs are able to elicit profound effects on ovarian cell function. While existence of miRNA within EVs has been reported, it remains unknown if EV size and concentration as well as their cargos (i.e., proteins and RNA) change during antral follicle growth. Extracellular vesicles isolated from follicular fluid of small, medium and large bovine follicles were similar in size, while concentration of EVs decreased progressively as follicle size increased. Electron microscopy indicated a highly purified population of the lipid bilayer enclosed vesicles that were enriched in exosome biomarkers including CD81 and Alix. Small RNA sequencing identified a large number of known and novel miRNAs that changed in the EVs of different size follicles. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) indicated that miRNA abundant in small follicle EV preparations were associated with cell proliferation pathways, while those miRNA abundant in large follicle preparations were related to inflammatory response pathways. These studies are the first to demonstrate that EVs change in their levels and makeup during antral follicle development and point to the potential for a unique vesicle-mediated cell-to-cell communication network within the ovarian follicle.
Project description:Oocyte competence is progressively acquired during follicle growth, with large follicles containing more often competent oocytes than small follicles. A competent oocyte is able to mature in vitro, be fertilized, and develop to the blastocyst stage. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their cargo micro RNAs (miRNAs) are critical in mediating intercellular communication inside the follicle and facilitating oocyte maturation. Whether follicular EVs are also involved in the acquisition of oocyte competence in the growing follicle remains unclear. Here, we have been using an individual culture system to distinguish follicular fluid and their corresponding bovine oocytes as competent or noncompetent. We used a qEV single-column method to isolate EVs from follicular fluid. RNA sequencing revealed 16 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs in EVs from follicular fluid derived from either competent or noncompetent oocytes . Among the up-regulated miRNAs, we selected bta-miR-34c to further validate its effect on oocyte competence during in vitro maturation using mimics and inhibitors. By supplementing miR-34c mimics to the oocyte maturation medium, we could significantly improve blastocyst quality, as evidenced by higher cell numbers, while supplementation of miR-34c inhibitors produced the opposite effect. Taken together, the up-regulation of miR-34c in EVs derived from follicular fluid from competent oocytes is indicative of its regulatory role, and, when added during in vitro maturation of unselected oocytes, is able to increase total cell number and inner cell mass of resulting embryos, thus contributing to the development of healthy offspring
Project description:Cell-free RNAs have been used as diagnostic disease markers describing the state of tissue environment. The origin and potential functions of such RNAs in human pre-ovulatory follicle, the environment of oocyte maturation, are unclear. We aimed to describe the small RNA profiles of three follicular compartments of the same follicle: mural granulosa cells (MGC), cell-free follicular fluid (FF) and extracellular vesicles (EV) of the FF. Focusing on microRNAs, their signatures and regulated pathways were compared between infertile women with polycystic ovaries and fertile control group.
Project description:Purpose: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles that can be secreted by different cells, including cells found within the ovarian follicle. Currently, EVs are considered an important form of intercellular communication, since they carry biological contents. The goal of this study was to survey the effects of small EVs from follicles at different estrous cycle stage in bovine cumulus cells. Methods: We used an established model to obtain follicular fluid (FF) at early and late estrous cycle stage according to corpus luteum appearance, corresponding to low and high progesterone (P4) levels, respectively. We collected FF from 3-6 mm follicles and isolated small EVs, which were used as a supplement during in vitro maturation (IVM). Cumulus cells were collected from cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) pools and the RNAs were obtained and subjected to RNA sequencing. Results: The results showed that small EVs from different estrous cycle stage are capable to affect transcripts in cumulus cells and modulate different pathways and biological processes related to oocyte maturation, ovulation and immune response. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that small EVs from low and high P4 group impact the RNA profile in cumulus cells after 9 hours of in vitro maturation.