Platelet-Derived Growth Factor BB and DD and Angiopoietin1 are altered in follicular fluid from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome patients

SCOTTI LEOPOLDINA ; , PARBORELL FERNANDA ; IRUSTA GRISELDA ; DE ZUÑIGA IGNACIO; CLAUDIO BISIOLI ; PETTOROSSI HERNAN ; TESONE MARTA ; ABRAMOVICH DALHIA

MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

WILEY-LISS, DIV JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Año: 2014 vol. 81 p. 748 - 756

1040-452X

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinological pathology among women of reproductive age. Among other diverse features, PCOS is characterized by abnormalities in ovarian angiogenesis. It is known that follicular fluid (FF) concentration and ovarian expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) are increased in PCOS patients. In this study, we examined the protein levels of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) BB, PDGFDD, and Angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1) and ANGPT2 and their soluble receptor sTIE2, in FF from PCOS and control patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. We also analyzed the effect of FF from PCOS and control patients on tight and adherens junction protein expression in an endothelial cell line. We found significantly lower levels of PDGFBB and PDGFDD and significantly higher concentration of ANGPT1 in FF from PCOS patients than in FF from control patients. No changes were found in the concentration of ANGPT2 and sTIE2 proteins. Expression of claudin-5 was significantly increased in endothelial cells incubated for 24 h in the presence of FF from PCOS patients than in FF from control ones, while VE-cadherin, b-catenin and ZO1 expressions were unchanged. The alterations observed in the levels of PDGFs and ANGPT1 may prevent VEGF-induced vascular permeability in the PCOS ovary by regulating endothelial cell junction protein levels. Restoring the levels of angiogenic factors may provide new insights into PCOS treatment and Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) prevention in PCOS women.