ANALYSIS OF THE EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES ENDOCYTOSIS PROCESS IN OVARIAN FOLLICLE CELLS

• Grant number: 23/08030-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: April 03, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Juliano Coelho da Silveira
• Grantee: Ana Maria Linhares Cavalcanti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06645-0 - Extracellular vesicles as a platform for diagnostic and manipulation of the in vitro embryo production system: the next generation in animal reproduction, AP.JP2
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/06765-3 - EFFECT OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX CULTURE ON THE ENDOCYTOSIS OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES BY OVIDUCTAL CELLS, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The search for reproductive biotechniques has become a mean to achieve an efficient increase in the productivity of cattle herds. Among them, in vitro embryo production stands out, a biotechnique widely used in Brazil. With this, the importance of improving this technique arises, through the study of the cellular mechanisms involved in the intercellular communication within the follicular environment. This process can be mediated by extracellular vesicles, which are secreted and endocytosed by different types of cells, and carry essential molecules for gamete development and maturation. Thus, this study aims to understand how the process of endocytosis of extracellular vesicles by granulosa cells occurs, which is essential for the progress of studies on this reproductive biotechnology. For this, granulosa cells will be supplemented with extracellular vesicles labeled with PKH26 to determine the time required for the endocytosis of these molecules. In addition, the mechanism of extracellular vesicles uptake by granulosa cells will be analyzed through chemical inhibitors based on the main routes used fornanoparticle absorption. This work is expected to understand one of the gaps in reproductive biology, elucidating the role of extracellular vesicles in the intrafollicular communication through the analysis of their effects on granulosa cells.