Expression of interferon regulatory factor-1 in the mouse cumulus-oocyte complex is negatively related with oocyte maturation.
10.5653/cerm.2011.38.4.193
- Author:
Yun Sun KIM
1
;
Eun Young KIM
;
Jisook MOON
;
Tae Ki YOON
;
Woo Sik LEE
;
Kyung Ah LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seoul, Korea. leeka@ovary.co.kr
- Publication Type:In Vitro ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Apoptosis;
Immature oocyte;
In vitro maturation;
Interferon regulatory factor-1;
Retinoic acid;
Mouse
- MeSH:
Animals;
Apoptosis;
Cumulus Cells;
Cytokines;
DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase;
Female;
Gene Expression;
Humans;
In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques;
Interferon Regulatory Factor-1;
Interferons;
Interleukin-12;
Macrophages;
Mental Competency;
Metaphase;
Mice;
Oocytes;
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted;
RNA, Messenger;
Tretinoin;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- From:Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
2011;38(4):193-202
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: We found previously that interferon regulatory factor (Irf)-1 is a germinal vesicle (GV)-selective gene that highly expressed in GV as compared to metaphase II oocytes. To our knowledge, the function of Irf-1 in oocytes has yet to be examined. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between retinoic acid (RA) and RA-mediated expression of Irf-1 and the mouse oocyte maturation. METHODS: Immature cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) were collected from 17-day-old female mice and cultured in vitro for 16 hours in the presence of varying concentrations of RA (0-10 microM). Rate of oocyte maturation and activation was measured. Gene expression was measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cytokine secretion in the medium was measured by Bio-Plex analysis. Apoptosis was analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS: The rates of oocyte maturation to metaphase II and oocyte activation increased significantly with RA treatment (10 nM-1 microM). With 100 nM RA treatment, lowest level of Irf-1 mRNA and cumulus cell's apoptosis was found. Among 23 cytokines measured by Bio-Plex system, the substantial changes in secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta, eotaxin and interleukin-12 (p40) from COCs in response to RA were detected. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the maturation of oocytes and Irf-1 expression are negatively correlated, and RA enhances the developmental competence of mouse immature oocytes in vitro by suppressing apoptosis of cumulus cells. Using a mouse model, results of the present study provide insights into improved culture conditions for in vitro oocyte maturation and relevant cytokine production and secretion in assisted reproductive technology.