Prostaglandin E2 and vascular endothelial growth factor A mediate angiogenesis of human ovarian follicular endothelial cells

Heidi A. Trau, Mats Brännström, Thomas E. Curry, Diane M. Duffy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION Which receptors for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) mediate angiogenesis in the human follicle around the time of ovulation? SUMMARY ANSWER PGE2 and VEGFA act via multiple PGE2 receptors (PTGERs) and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) to play complementary roles in follicular angiogenesis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Production of PGE2 and VEGFA by the follicle are prerequisites for ovulation. PGE2 is an emerging regulator of angiogenesis and has not been examined in the context of the human ovulatory follicle. VEGFA is an established regulator of follicular angiogenesis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Ovarian biopsies containing the ovulatory follicle were obtained from 11 women of reproductive age (30-45 years) undergoing surgery for laparoscopic sterilization. In some cases, women received hCG to substitute for the ovulatory LH surge before ovarian biopsy. In addition, aspirates from four women of reproductive age (18-31 years) undergoing gonadotrophin stimulation for oocyte donation were obtained for isolation of human ovarian microvascular endothelial cells (hOMECs). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Ovarian biopsies were utilized for immunocytochemical detection of von Willebrand factor to identify endothelial cells. hOMECs were cultured with PGE2, PTGER receptor selective agonists, VEGFA, or VEGFR selective agonists. hOMECs were assessed for proliferation by Ki67 immunocytochemistry. hOMEC migration was determined by counting cells which migrated through a porous membrane in vitro. Sprout formation was quantified by determining sprout number and length from photographs take after culture of hOMECs in a 3-dimensional matrix. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Endothelial cells were not observed within the granulosa cell layer of human ovulatory follicles prior to an ovulatory dose of hCG and were first seen amongst granulosa cells 18-34 h after hCG. In vitro, PGE2 enhanced migration and sprout formation but did not alter hOMEC proliferation. Agonists selective for each PTGER increased migration with no change in proliferation. PTGER1 and PTGER2 agonists increased the number of sprouts, while only PTGER1 affected sprout length. VEGFA increased hOMEC proliferation, migration, and formation of structures resembling capillary sprouts. Signaling through VEGFR1 promoted hOMEC migration, proliferation, and the formation of few, long endothelial cell sprouts, while VEGFR2 stimulation promoted hOMEC migration and the formation of many, short sprouts. All effects of treatments in vitro were considered significant at P < 0.05. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION While primary cultures of hOMECs respond to PGE2 and VEGFA differently than other cultured endothelial cells, hOMECs may not respond to PGE2 and VEGFA in vivo as they do in vitro. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Agonists and antagonists selective for PTGER1, PTGER2, VEGFR1, or VEGFR2 may have therapeutic value to promote or prevent ovulation in women. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was supported by grant funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (HD071875 to D.M.D., T.E.C., M.B.). The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)436-444
Number of pages9
JournalHuman Reproduction
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 24 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved.

Funding

FundersFunder number
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentP01HD071875

    Keywords

    • Endothelial cell
    • Follicle
    • Ovary
    • Ovulation
    • PGE2 receptor
    • Prostaglandin
    • VEGF receptor
    • Vascular endothelial growth factor

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Reproductive Medicine
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Prostaglandin E2 and vascular endothelial growth factor A mediate angiogenesis of human ovarian follicular endothelial cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this