The gene expression profile of cumulus cells reveals altered pathways in patients with endometriosis

Purpose The objective of this experimental study was to compare the global gene expression profile of CC of mature oocytes in 18 patients with severe endometriosis and CC in 18 control patients affected by a severe male factor.

For each group, the CC were pooled, RNA was extracted and a microarray performed. For validating the microarray, a quantitative real-time PCR was performed in the CC of an independent set of patients with endometriosis (n = 5) and controls (n = 7).

595 differentially expressed genes (320 down-regulated, 275 up-regulated, p < 0.05, fold change ≥1.5) were identified. The most significant changes were observed in genes involved in the chemokine signaling and cell-cell or cell-extracellular matrix adhesion pathways. Several genes of these pathways were down-regulated in endometriosis. Individual RT-PCR assays confirmed the microarray for ten genes.

Several genes involved in the chemokine mediated-signaling pathway and in the functional cross-talk between CC and the oocyte are down-regulated in endometriosis CC. The impairment of these processes could explain the reduction of oocyte competence in endometriosis. This preliminary knowledge could be the starting point for a more detailed elucidation of the relationship between endometriosis and oocyte competence. Similar content being viewed by others

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Funding This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector; the funds were provided directly by the ANDROS Day Surgery Clinic, Palermo, Italy. Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Additional information Capsule Several genes involved in the chemokine mediated-signaling pathway and in the cross-talk between cumulus cells and the oocyte are down-regulated in the cumulus cells of patients with endometriosis. The first two authors contributed equally to this work Electronic supplementary material Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material. ESM 1 (download DOC ) (DOC 30 kb) Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Allegra, A., Raimondo, S., Volpes, A. et al. The gene expression profile of cumulus cells reveals altered pathways in patients with endometriosis. J Assist Reprod Genet 31, 1277–1285 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0305-1 Received: Accepted: Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0305-1