Work

The Role of Interleukin-6 in the Regulation of Granulosa Cell Apoptosis During Follicular Atresia in Pig Ovaries

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: More than 99% of follicles in mammalian ovaries undergo a degenerative process known as atresia, and only a few follicles actually ovulate during follicular growth and development. Follicular selection mostly depends on granulosa cell apoptosis, but the molecular mechanism behind the regulation of this selective atresia is still largely unknown. In the present study, to examine whether or not interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine, is involved in apoptosis during atresia in pig ovaries, the expression of IL-6 mRNA in granulosa cells was quantified by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The level of mRNA decreased during atresia. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the level of IL-6 protein in follicular fluid also decreased during atresia. Moreover, recombinant human IL-6 upregulated the expression of an intracellular apoptosis inhibitor, cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein long form (cFLIP(L)), in cultured cells derived from human granulosa cells. It is possible that IL-6 is produced in the granulosa cells of healthy follicles, that it increases the cFLIP(L) level, and cFLIP(L) then prevents apoptotic cell death.

Source: Journal of Reproduction and Development

DOI: 10.1262/jrd.18149

Authors: Akihisa MAEDA, Naoko INOUE, Fuko MATSUDA-MINEHATA, Yasufumi GOTO, Yuan CHENG, Noboru MANABE

Institutions: The University of Tokyo, Nagoya University

Language: English

Topic: Reproductive Biology and Fertility

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $828