Pro-nerve growth factor in the ovary and human granulosa cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pro-nerve growth factor must be cleaved to generate mature NGF, which was suggested to be a factor involved in ovarian physiology and pathology. Extracellular proNGF can induce cell death in many tissues. Whether extracellular proNGF exists in the ovary and may play a role in the death of follicular cells or atresia was unknown.

Materials and methods

Immunohistochemistry of human and rhesus monkey ovarian sections was performed. IVF-derived follicular fluid and human granulosa cells were studied by RT-PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, ATP- and caspase-assays.

Results and conclusion

Immunohistochemistry of ovarian sections identified proNGF in granulosa cells and Western blotting of human isolated granulosa cells confirmed the presence of proNGF. Ovarian granulos

SUBMITTER: Meinel S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4760111 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature