Abstract
Mammalian proprotein convertases (PCs) play an important role in folliculogenesis, as they proteolytically activate a variety of substrates such as the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily. PC subtilism/kexin 6 (PCSK6) is a member of the PC family and is ubiquitously expressed and implicated in many physiological and pathological processes. However, in human granulosa cells, the expression of the PC family members, their hormonal regulation, and the function of PCs are not clear. In this study, we found that PCSK6 is the most highly expressed PC family member in granulosa cells. LH increased PCSK6 mRNA level and PCSK6 played an anti-apoptosis function in KGN cells. Knockdown of PCSK6 not only increased the secretion of activin A and TGFβ2 but also decreased the secretion of follistatin, estrogen, and the mRNA levels of FSH receptor (FSHR) and P450AROM (CYP19A1). We also found that, in the KGN human granulosa cell line, TGFβ2 and activin A could promote the apoptosis of KGN cells and LH could regulate the follistatin level. These data indicate that PCSK6, which is regulated by LH, is highly expressed in human primary granulosa cells of pre-ovulatory follicles and plays important roles in regulating a series of downstream molecules and apoptosis of KGN cells.
Introduction
Mammalian proprotein convertases (PCs) are a family of serine endoproteases that activate a variety of protein precursors by catalytic cleavage, promoting their maturation. Nine PC family members have been identified: PCSK1, PCSK2, PCSK3 (FURIN), PCSK4, PCSK5, PCSK6, PCSK7, PCSK9, and SKI1/S1P (MBTPS1). The first seven are structurally and functionally similar to each other and are typical members of the family, while PCSK9 and SKI1/SIP are atypical (Artenstein & Opal 2011). The expression of PC family members varies in different species, organs, and cells. PCSK1 and PCSK2 are expressed mainly in neuroendocrine tissues and the pancreas (Feng et al. 2002). PCSK4 is specific to the testes and ovaries (Tadros et al. 2001). By contrast, PCSK3, PCSK5, PCSK6, and PCSK7 are more widely expressed. Among the wide variety of PCs, substrates are precursors of hormones, enzymes, growth factors, receptors, cell membrane proteins, plasma proteins, viral glycoproteins, and bacterial toxins, all of which share the same basic cleavage target motifs (K/R)−(X)n−(K/R)↓, with n=0, 2, 4, or 6. For instance, beta nerve growth factor (β-NGF) is the substrate of furin and processed β-NGF is a mediator for neuron survival while secreted, unprocessed pro-β-NGF mediates apoptosis of neuron (Lee et al. 2001). PCs have been shown to be involved in a wide range of processes including embryogenesis, homeostasis, and in diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, tumorigenesis, and infections (Artenstein & Opal 2011).
In the reproductive system, PCs participate in follicle and embryo development. Male Pcsk4-null mice exhibited severely impaired fertility and female Pcsk4-null mice exhibited delayed folliculogenesis in the ovaries (Mbikay et al. 1997). PCSK5 is suggested to play an important role in the processes of stromal cell decidualization, embryo implantation (Okada et al. 2005), cumulus expansion, and follicular rupture (Bae et al. 2008) in the mouse, and deletion of the Pcsk5 gene causes early embryonic lethality (Essalmani et al. 2006). Pcsk5 mutant mice exhibit progressive loss of ovarian function, altered gene expression, and the formation of ovarian pathology (Mujoomdar et al. 2011).
Granulosa cells play important roles in follicle development. In granulosa cells of mouse follicles at different stages of development, PC family members showed differential expression (Bae et al. 2008). Diaz et al. (2008) found that PCSK6 mRNA and protein were expressed in preantral granulosa cells, but not in cumulus or mural cells of the pre-ovulatory follicles, in the mouse ovary. However, very little is known about PC expression and functions in human granulosa cells. Only one recent study (Akiyama et al. 2012) has shown that, in humans, PCSK6 is expressed in both oocytes and granulosa cells (GCs) in growing follicles up to the antral stage with the expression level of PCSK6 in GCs increasing during follicle development.
In this study, we first examined the expression of the PC family members in human granulosa cells and then further studied PCSK6 as it was the most highly expressed family member in human granulosa cells. We studied the hormone regulation of PCSK6 in primary luteinizing GCs and in the KGN human granulosa tumor cell line. We also found that PCSK6 could inhibit apoptosis of KGN cells and influence a series of downstream molecules including local hormones, important receptors, and enzymes, some of which are involved in cell apoptosis.
Materials and methods
Human samples
Primary human GCs were obtained with the approval of the Human Investigation Committee of Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Follicle aspirates were collected during oocyte retrieval from women with tubal blockage undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and granulosa cells were isolated as described previously (Sasson et al. 2004). The IVF stimulation protocol was the standard long gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol and, before intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), we isolated granulosa cells from oocyte–corona–cumulus complex.
The culture and treatment of GCs or cell line
Human GCs were cultured in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2–95% air at 37 °C in phenol-red-free RPMI-1640 (Sigma) supplemented with 10% dextran-coated charcoal-treated fetal bovine serum (DCC–FBS; Hyclone Laboratories, Logan, UT, USA) and 100 μg/ml Primocin (InvivoGen, San Diego, CA, USA). The KGN granulosa tumor cells were cultured in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2–95% air at 37 °C in DMEM/F12 (Sigma) supplemented with 10% dextran-coated charcoal-treated fetal bovine serum, 100 U/ml penicillin G, and 0.1 mg/ml streptomycin sulfate (Invitrogen). After culturing for 3 days, primary human GCs were stimulated with different concentrations of recombinant human luteinizing hormone (LH; 0, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 IU/l; Sigma) for different time periods (0, 1, 2, 3, or 6 h). KGN cells were treated with 100 IU/l human LH for 3 h before extraction of mRNA or with different concentrations of activin A (0.1, 1, and 10 ng/ml; R&D System, Minneapolis, NN, USA) or transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFβ2; 0.1, 1, and 10 ng/ml; R&D System) for 24 h before detecting the apoptosis rate by flow cytometry.
Immunocytochemistry
GCs were seeded in tissue culture-treated plastic dishes that are 35 mm in diameter and cultured for 3 days. After washing twice with PBS, cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for 20 min and permeabilized for 20 min at room temperature using 0.3% Triton/PBS. Cells were blocked with 10% fetal bovine serum at room temperature for 60 min and incubated overnight at 4 °C with either primary rabbit anti-human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) polyclonal antibodies (1:100, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA, USA) or PBS, as the negative control. After washing twice with PBS, cells were incubated with a biotinylated secondary anti-rabbit antibody for 20 min at room temperature, washed with PBS, incubated with streptavidin–horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for 20 min at room temperature, and then stained with DAB (Zhongshan Cambridge Company, Beijing, China) and counterstained with hematoxylin.
RNA extraction, RT, and PCR
After culture and experimental treatment, the cell culture medium was removed, cells were washed with PBS, and RNA was extracted using TRizol (Invitrogen). RNA concentration was measured based on the absorbance at 260 nm, and RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA using a RT Kit (Fermentas, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). The primers used for qualitative PCR or SYBR Green quantitative PCR were designed by Shenggong Company (Shanghai, China) and are shown in Table 1. Qualitative PCR was performed according to the instruction and DNA products were detected by gel electrophoresis. The values of the band intensities were determined using the Image J Software (National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). Quantitative PCR was performed using the ABI PRISM 7300 Sequence Detection System according to the manufacturer's protocol (Applied Biosystems). Relative quantification of the mRNA levels of PCSK genes, FSHR, LHR, and P450AROM (CYP19A1) was performed using the ΔΔCt method with GAPDH as the reference gene.
PCR primer sequences for proprotein convertase, cytochrome P450 aromatase, FSHR, LHR, and GAPDH genes
| Gene | Sequence (qualitative PCR) | Sequence 2 (quantitative PCR) |
|---|---|---|
| PCSK1 | Forward: 5′-TCTTACAGCAGCGGAGATTACA-3′ | Forward: 5′-TCACCAAAGAAGTCCCCAAG-3′ |
| Reverse: 5′-CCAGGGACTTGATAGCATTTTC-3′ | Reverse: 5′-AGGTCGTCTCTGTGCTTGTA-3′ | |
| PCSK2 | Forward: 5′-GGTGAAAATGGCTAAAGACTGG-3′ | Forward: 5′-GAGAAGACGCAGCCTACACC-3′ |
| Reverse: 5′-TCATGTTGATGTTCAGGTCTCC-3′ | Reverse: 5′-TTTCCGTCAAATCCTTCCTG-3′ | |
| PCSK3 | Forward: 5′-CAGAGGGAGCCTCAAGTACAGT-3′ | Forward: 5′-TATGGCTACGGGCTTTTGGA-3′ |
| Reverse: 5′-GCCTGTTGTCATTCATCTGTGT-3′ | Reverse: 5′-GCCGTTTCCCGATGTCTTT-3′ | |
| PCSK4 | Forward: 5′-CTACATCAGGGAAAACGTATCG-3′ | Forward: 5′-CAACAATGGCTTCTGTGGTG-3′ |
| Reverse: 5′-GTCCCCGTGTTGAAATAGTAGC-3′ | Reverse: 5′-GCTGTAAATGTGGATGTGCTG-3′ | |
| PCSK5 | Forward: 5′-CCATAGCAGGACGATTAAAAGG-3′ | Forward: 5′-ATGACTGGAAAACCAATGCTG-3′ |
| Reverse: 5′-GAGCATCGTCGTAGTTTTGCATCAG-3′ | Reverse: 5′-ACTGTTAGGGCGGATTGTCTT-3′ | |
| PCSK6 | Forward: 5′-TGTAAAAAGTGCGTGGATGAAC-3′ | Forward: 5′-ACGAAGGGTGAAGAGACAGGT-3′ |
| Reverse: 5′-GTCGTGGAAGTGGAAGTTTTTC-3′ | Reverse: 5′-TTTTTCCTGTGTAGCCCCTAT-3′ | |
| PCSK7 | Forward: 5′-GCAGTGACAGTCTCCATCACTC-3′ | Forward: 5′-TAGTGGATGACGGAGTGGAAC-3′ |
| Reverse: 5′-GGCACTCTCTAACAGCCTTTGT-3′ | Reverse: 5′-ATGGGGTCAGGGTCATTAGAG-3′ | |
| FSHR | Forward: 5′-ACAGGGTTTTTCTCTGCCAAG-3′ | Reverse: 5′-TCTGCCTCTATCACCTCCAAG-3′ |
| LHR | Forward: 5′-CTACACCTCACCGTCATCA-3′ | Reverse: 5′-AGAAAAGAGCCATCCTCCAAG-3′ |
| P450AROM | Forward: 5′-GAAATGCTGAACCCGATACATT-3′ | Reverse: 5′-AAGAGAAAAAGGCCAGTGAGG-3′ |
siRNA transfection
KGN cells were cultured in a medium as described above to achieve ∼30% confluence at the time of transfection. Cells were transfected using a non-targeting negative control siRNA (Dharmacon, Chicago, IL, USA) or siRNAs against human PCSK6 (ON-TARGET plus SMART pool, Dharmacon) at a final concentration of 50 nM using Lipofectamine 2000 (InvitroGen). The group in which only Lipofectamine 2000 was used was treated as the blank control. Following transfection, cells were collected for mRNA and protein extraction after 24, 48, and 72 h or re-seeded into new plates after 48 h for further experiments (24 h after re-seeding).
Western blotting
After experimental treatment, cells were washed twice with PBS, lysed in ice-cold RIPA buffer with 1% phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), and centrifuged at 12 000 g at 4 °C for 30 min and protein concentration was determined using the Bradford protein assay (Beyotime Company, Shanghai, China). Proteins (50 μg) were separated on 10% SDS–polyacrylamide gels and transferred onto PVDF membranes. After blocking in PBS with 5% non-fat dry milk, the membranes were incubated with an anti-PCSK6 polyclonal antibody (1:2000, Abcam, Cambridge, UK) overnight at 4 °C, washed with PBS, and incubated with an HRP-labeled secondary antibody (1:5000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology). Blots were developed using the Amersham ECL detection kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
After the knockdown of PCSK6 or stimulation of LH for 24 h in KGN cells, the levels of activin A, follistatin, TGFβ2 (all from R&D System), and estrogen (CUSOBIO, Wuhan, China) in the cell culture supernatant were detected using ELISA. The minimal detectable concentrations for activin A, follistatin, TGFβ2, and estrogen were 3.67, 29, 7.0, and 25 pg/ml respectively.
Flow cytometry
For the apoptosis assay, cells were detached from the tissue culture plates with 0.25% Trypsin without EDTA, centrifuged at 1000 g for 5 min, re-suspended in PBS, fixed and permeabilized, and labeled with an FITC anti-human active Caspase 3 antibody (BD Bioscience, Heidelberg, Germany), or labeled directly with APC anti-human CD95 (Fas) or PE anti-human CD178 (FasL) (both from Biolegend, San Diego, CA, USA) for 30 min, or labeled with Annexin V and PI as described by the manufacturer (Merck), and then washed and detected by flow cytometry.
Statistical analysis
The SPSS Software package version 18.0 was used for statistical data analysis using one-way ANOVA. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All experimental data are expressed as mean±s.e.m. of at least three independent experiments.
Results
The expression of PCSK6 in human primary granulosa cells
As human GCs are the only cell type in the ovary that expresses FSHR, we used immunocytochemistry to investigate the purity of isolated human GCs. Over 95% of the isolated cells expressed FSHR (Fig. 1A), indicating good purity of isolated primary human GCs.
The expression of PCSK6 in human primary granulosa cells. (A) Granulosa cells were stained with PBS (as control, left) or an antibody against follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR; right) to identify the purity of hGCs. (B and C) RT-PCR results of proprotein convertase family members. (D) Real-time PCR results using different pairs of primers. Each experiment was repeated at least six times.
Citation: Journal of Endocrinology 222, 1; 10.1530/JOE-13-0592
We analyzed human GCs obtained from six patients by qualitative PCR for the expression of PCSK1, PCSK2, PCSK3, PCSK4, PCSK5, PCSK6, and PCSK7. Of these seven PC family members, PCSK3, PCSK4, PCSK5, PCSK6, and PCSK7 were expressed at detectable levels, while PCSK1 and PCSK2 expression were not detectable (Fig. 1B and C). To compare mRNA expression levels in human GCs, we designed additional primers for quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to carry out these qualitative findings. In human GCs, qRT-PCR revealed that PCSK6 was most highly expressed, followed by PCSK3, PCSK5, and PCSK7 with PCSK4 being lower. In addition, qRT-PCR indicated low, but detectable, expression of PCSK1 and PCSK2 (Fig. 1D).
PCSK6 inhibits apoptosis of KGN cells
To determine whether PCSK6 is involved in the biological functions of granulosa cells, we reduced PCSK6 expression by transfection of KGN cells with PCSK6-specific siRNAs. RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the silencing effect. As shown in Fig. 2A and B, transfection reagent control without (blank) or with a non-specific siRNA (si control) did not affect PCSK6 expression, as expected. By contrast, siRNAs targeting PCSK6 reduced PCSK6 mRNA and protein levels by over 85%, indicating specific and efficient knockdown of PCSK6. KGN cells with knockdown of PCSK6 showed an increase in apoptosis compared with controls (Fig. 2C), indicating that PCSK6 has an anti-apoptotic role.
PCSK6 inhibits apoptosis of KGN cells. KGN cells were transiently transfected with Lipofectamine 2000 (blank), Lipofectamine 2000 plus siRNAs against human PCSK6 (PCSK6 siRNA), or Lipofectamine 2000 plus a non-targeting negative control siRNA (si control), and then the knockdown effect was verified at the mRNA level by PCR (A) or the protein level by western blotting (B). (C) After transfections of KGN cells for 72 h, cells were collected and flow cytometric assay was performed to compare the apoptosis rate in the three groups. Each experiment was repeated at least four times. *P<0.05 compared with blank, **P<0.01, a and b represent different PCSK6 siRNA concentrations, 25 and 50 nM.
Citation: Journal of Endocrinology 222, 1; 10.1530/JOE-13-0592
PCSK6 regulates the secretion of local hormones, gonadotropin receptors, and enzyme in KGN cells
To investigate how PCSK6 might inhibit apoptosis in KGN cells, we used ELISA to determine the effect of PCSK6 knockdown on the expression of TGFβ2 (TGFB2), activin, and follistatin, all of which are PCSK6 substrates that have been reported to be involved in the induction or repression of apoptosis (Patella et al. 2006, Quezada et al. 2012, Yu et al. 2012). Compared with blank or si control group, knockdown of PCSK6 increased the levels of secreted activin A and TGFβ2 (Fig. 3A) and decreased the level of secreted follistatin (Fig. 3B).
PCSK6 regulates the secretion of local hormones, gonadotropin receptors and enzyme in KGN cells. After 72 h of transfection, the supernatant of KGN cells was collected and local hormones such as activin A (A), TGFβ2 (A), follistatin (B), and estrogen (C) were detected. ELISA was performed in triplicate and repeated three times. After 48 h of transfection, changes in P450AROM and FSHR mRNAs were detected by real-time PCR (D). *P<0.05 compared with blank and **P<0.01. Each experiment was repeated at least four times.
Citation: Journal of Endocrinology 222, 1; 10.1530/JOE-13-0592
The FSH and LH receptors and P450arom enzyme participate in the synthesis of sex hormones in granulosa cells and have been reported to inhibit apoptosis (Uchida et al. 2004, Fester et al. 2006, Xia et al. 2013). As shown in Fig. 3C, mRNA levels of FSHR and P450AROM were reduced in KGN cells after PCSK6 knockdown, but LHR (LHCGR) mRNA level was not changed (Supplementary Fig. 1, see section on supplementary data given at the end of this article). Moreover, knockdown of PCSK6 reduced the estrogen level (Fig. 3D).
Activin A and TGFβ2 induce apoptosis of KGN cells
As PCSK6 decreased the secretion of activin A and TGFβ2 and played an anti-apoptotic role, we speculated that activin A and TGFβ2 might be involved in apoptosis. We found that activin A and TGFβ2 could promote apoptosis of KGN cells in a dose-dependent manner (Fig. 4A and B).
Activin A and TGFβ2 induce apoptosis of KGN cells. KGN cells were treated with different concentrations of activin A (0, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng/ml) (A) or TGFβ2 (0, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng/ml) (B) for 48 h and then the apoptosis rate was detected by FCM. Each experiment was repeated at least four times. **P<0.01 compared with control, NS represents no significant difference.
Citation: Journal of Endocrinology 222, 1; 10.1530/JOE-13-0592
LH up-regulates PCSK6 in KGN cells
As PCSK6 was expressed to the highest extent among PC family members in primary human granulosa cells, we investigated whether it was regulated by hormones. We found that LH up-regulated PCSK6 mRNA levels in time- and dose-dependent manners both in primary human GCs and KGN cells (Fig. 5A, B and C).
LH induces PCSK6 both in primary granulosa cells and KGN cells. (A) hGCs were cultured in the DMEM medium supplemented with 10% dextran-coated charcoal-treated fetal bovine serum for 72 h and then stimulated with 100 IU/l LH for different time periods (0, 1, 2, 3, and 6 h). (B) hGCs were stimulated with different concentrations of LH (0, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 IU/l) for 3 h and then the mRNA level of PCSK6 was detected by real-time PCR. (C) KGN cells were treated with 100 IU/l LH for 3 h and then the mRNA level of PCSK6 in it was measured by real-time PCR. Each experiment was repeated at least 4 times. *P<0.05 compared with control.
Citation: Journal of Endocrinology 222, 1; 10.1530/JOE-13-0592
LH inhibits the apoptosis of KGN cells and regulates expression of local hormones and receptors
Previous studies have demonstrated that LH can influence apoptosis in several different cell types (Porter et al. 2001, Slot et al. 2006, Zhang et al. 2011). Thus, we used flow cytometry to determine whether 24 h of LH exposure affected apoptosis of KGN cells. As shown in Fig. 6A, 10–1000 IU/l LH reduced apoptosis of KGN cells in a dose-dependent manner, with 100 IU/l LH being the most effective one. To confirm that LH inhibits apoptosis of KGN cells, we detected apoptosis-related markers and found that LH could decrease their expression (Fig. 6B).
LH inhibits the apoptosis of KGN cells and regulates local hormones and receptors. (A) We used different concentrations of LH (0, 10, 100, and 1000 IU/l) to stimulate KGN cells for 24 h and then the apoptosis rate was detected by FCM. (B) After KGN cells was treated with 100 IU/l LH for 24 h, the percentages of p-caspase 3-, Fas-, and FasL-positive cells were detected by FCM. Simultaneously, the supernatant was collected to detect the concentration of local hormones such as follistatin, activin A, and TGFβ2 (C). (D) The effects of LH on FSHR and P450AROM mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Each experiment was repeated at least four times. *P<0.05 compared with control, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001. NS, no significant difference; Ctrl, control.
Citation: Journal of Endocrinology 222, 1; 10.1530/JOE-13-0592
We also detected whether LH regulated expression of local hormones, enzymes, and gonadotropin receptors. As shown in Fig. 6C, LH up-regulated the secretion of follistatin but had no effects on the secretion of activin A and TGFβ2. Moreover, LH could also increase mRNA levels of FSHR and P450AROM (Fig. 6D).
Discussion
Prior to this work, there had been no research on the expression of PCs in human GCs of pre-ovulatory follicles. In this study, we examined the transcription of seven PC family members and found that the mRNA level of PCSK6 was the highest. The mRNA levels of PCSK3, PCSK5, and PCSK7 were relatively moderate, and the level of PCSK4 was low, with PCSK1 and PCSK2 mRNAs present only in pre-ovulatory GCs at very low, but detectable levels.
One possible role of this highly expressed level of PCSK6 in PC family members may be in regulating the apoptosis of human GCs. The loss of ovarian follicles through atresia, which accounts for more than 99% of postnatal female germ cell depletion, is mediated through apoptotic cell death (Tilly et al. 1995). Studies have demonstrated that apoptosis of GCs can be manipulated, and the molecular mechanisms responsible for it are of great interest.
In this study, we found that PCSK6 siRNA could promote apoptosis of KGN cells and regulate a series of downstream molecules such as activin A and TGFβ2. PCSK6 was found to be essential for maintaining a high proliferative state in prostate cancer cell lines (Couture et al. 2012). Activin A and TGFβ2 were believed to be pro-apoptosis factors in various tissue and cell types such as murine adrenal X-zone (Beuschlein et al. 2003), intestinal mucosa (Dunker et al. 2002), trophoblast cells (Yu et al. 2012), granulosa cells (Quezada et al. 2012), oligodendrocytes (Quezada et al. 2012), hepatocytes (Hughes & Evans 2003), and endometrial stromal cells (Moulton 1994). However, follistatin acted as an antagonist to activin and was considered as an anti-apoptosis factor in cells such as hepatocytes (Patella et al. 2006) and renal tubular cells (Maeshima et al. 2001). We believe that PCSK6 played its anti-apoptosis role to some extent by regulating these apoptosis-related factors in GCs. However, whether or not PCSK6 influenced the transcriptional levels of inhibin α or β substrates or impaired the post-translational process of these local hormones was not clear. We found that PCSK6 siRNA decreased the mRNA levels of inhibin βB and it had no effects on inhibin α and βA (data not shown). Moreover, follistatin has no PCSK6 recognition motif, and we believed that other hormones in the follicle fluid such as activin or inhibin influenced the secretion of follistatin.
Furthermore, in this study, we found that PCSK6 siRNA could significantly inhibit the ability to invade but had no obvious effect on the proliferation (Supplementary Fig. 2, see section on supplementary data given at the end of this article). Perhaps, in this process, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were involved as PCSK6 knockdown inhibited the activation of MMPs and then influenced the invasion of KGN cells, which deserves further study. Studies (Kelty & Curry 2010) have demonstrated that PCSK3 results in the activation of MMP2 associated with the breakdown of the follicular wall during ovulation. Studies have also demonstrated that PCSK6 could enhance mouse skin carcinoma progression by increasing tumor cell invasiveness and promoting the malignant conversion of non-invasive keratinocytes into malignant cells (Mahloogi et al. 2002).
We used the siRNA technique to knockdown the PCSK6 gene in KGN cells and found that the mRNA level of FSHR and a downstream target of FSH signaling P450AROM were obviously decreased similar to that in Pcsk6 mutant mouse (Mujoomdar et al. 2011). However, there was no difference in LHR (Supplementary Fig. 2) although the Lhr level was elevated in the mutant mouse (Mujoomdar et al. 2011). Changes in these genes are related to the production of steroid hormones such as estrogen, as they were either essential receptors or enzymes. For instance, P450arom is a rate-limiting enzyme involved in the process of estrogen synthesis.
Some hormones are PC substrates and PCs themselves may also be regulated by hormones. Previous studies have demonstrated that BMP2, BMP6, BMP7, and BMP15, but not activin A or GDF9, decrease PCSK6 gene expression in human GCs (Akiyama et al. 2012). Bae et al. (2008) found that treatment of pregnant mares serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-primed rats with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) induced the expression of PCSK5 in GCs of pre-ovulatory follicles in vivo and treatment with LH stimulated both PCSK5 mRNA and protein levels in rat pre-ovulatory follicles cultured in vitro. In this study, we detected LH regulation of PCSK6 in GCs of human pre-ovulatory follicles and this response was dependent on time and dose.
It is unknown whether LH is a pro-apoptosis or an anti-apoptosis factor. LH plays an important role in the development of ovarian cancer, and it has been shown to inhibit apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells (Slot et al. 2006, Zhang et al. 2011). However, LH played a pro-apoptosis function in the theca-interstitial cells (Spaczynski et al. 2005). In this study, we found that LH inhibited the apoptosis of GCs in a dose-dependent manner and decreased the level of apoptosis-related molecules. Previous research (Porter et al. 2001) studied GCs isolated from bovine pre-ovulatory follicles before and 14 h after injection of GnRH to induce an LH surge and found that GCs isolated before the LH surge were susceptible to apoptosis while cells isolated after the LH surge were resistant to apoptosis. Studies (Ruvolo et al. 2007) also found a lower apoptosis rate in human cumulus cells after administration of recombinant LH to women undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF procedures. Our results are in accordance with these results and supplied another direct evidence of LH as an anti-apoptosis factor in GCs.
In conclusion, PCSK6 was the main PC family member in human primary GCs of pre-ovulatory follicles. PCSK6 inhibited apoptosis of KGN cells and influenced expression of downstream molecules including local hormones in the follicle fluid, important enzymes, and hormone receptors, some of which were involved in the apoptosis of KGN cells. Moreover, LH could increase the mRNA level of PCSK6 and played an anti-apoptosis role. This study provides new insights into the function and molecular mechanism of PCSK6 in human follicle development.
Supplementary data
This is linked to the online version of the paper at http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/JOE-13-0592.
Declaration of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.
Funding
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) 31170870 (to L-P J), the training program for excellent academic leaders of the Shanghai Health System XBR2013093 (to L-P J), NSFC 81300544 (to H-X W), and NSFC 81300552 (to D-X F).
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Mark Longtine (Washington University in St Louis) for discussing and reading through this paper.
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(Y Wang and X-H Wang contributed equally to this work)
