Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 7-14, 2004
© European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2004
Differences in connective tissue gene expression between normally functioning, polycystic and post-menopausal ovaries
1Departments of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and 2Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Turku University Central Hospital, University of Turku, FIN-20520 Turku, and 3The Family Federation of Finland, Maariankatu 3 A, FIN-20100 Turku, Finland
4 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: The Family Federation of Finland, Maariankatu 3 A, FIN-20100 Turku, Finland. e-mail: marja-leena.anttila{at}vaestoliitto.fi
Arrested follicular maturation is a characteristic feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Follicles mature in ovarian stroma composed of extracellular matrix (ECM). However, little is known of the expression of ECM genes in polycystic ovaries. The present study compares the expression levels of genes coding for collagens, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), their inhibitors (TIMP) and cathepsins in polycystic ovaries using fertile and post-menopausal ovaries as controls. In northern analyses, the gene expression profiles of type I and III collagen of PCOS samples resembled those observed in normal follicular phase ovaries, while mRNA levels of pro
1(IV) collagen and TIMP-3 mRNA were significantly lower in polycystic than control ovaries. During the normal menstrual cycle, an increase was observed in MMP-9 gene expression during the luteal phase. In post-menopausal ovaries, mRNA levels for type I, III and IV collagens and osteonectin were reduced, while the MMP, TIMP (excluding TIMP-3) and cathepsins did not reflect this metabolic down-regulation. Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-9 and TIMP-4 suggested differences between polycystic and normally functioning ovaries. These data demonstrate that normal ovarian functions are associated with changes in production and degradation of ECM. The alterations observed in the production and/or distribution of type IV collagen, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4 suggest involvement of basement membranes in the pathogenesis of PCOS.
Key words: Key words: extracellular matrix/human ovary/mRNA/polycystic ovary syndrome/post-menopause
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