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Biological and physiological characteristics of human cumulus cells in adherent culture condition
Tahajjodi, Somayyeh Sadat; Yazd, Ehsan Farashahi; Agha-Rahimi, Azam; Aflatoonian, Reza; Khalili, Mohammad Ali; Mohammadi, Mahnaz & Aflatoonian, Behrouz
Abstract
Background: Cumulus cells, as oocyte nurse cells, provide a suitable
microenvironment with growth factors and cellular interactions required for oocyte
maturation. Thus, these cells may serve as a natural niche for in vitro studies of female
germ cell development. Cumulus cells may help attain a better understanding of the
causes of infertility in women and eventually improve the outcomes of cases that
respond poorly to standard infertility treatment.
Objective: The aim of this study was to isolate, culture, and investigate the biological
characteristics of human cumulus cells.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, cumulus cells were isolated,
cultured, and characterized using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
analyses of specific genes including FOXL2, CYP19A1, FSHR, AMHR, and LHR. The
presence of vimentin, a structural protein, was examined via immunofluorescent
staining. Moreover, levels of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and progesterone secretion
by cumulus cells were measured with ELISA after 2, 4, 12, 24, and 48 hr of culture.
Results: In adherent culture, human cumulus cells expressed specific genes and
markers as well as secreted AMH and progesterone into the medium.
Conclusion: Cumulus cells secrete AMH and progesterone in an adherent culture
and might be applicable for in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro gametogenesis (IVG)
studies.
Keywords
Cumulus cells; Conditioned medium; In vitro maturation; In vitro gametogenesis; Niche.
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