Cell-secreted vesicles containing microRNAs as regulators of gamete maturation

Author(s)

da Silveira, Juliano C. ^[1] ; de Avila, Ana Clara F. C. M. ^[1] ; Garrett, Hannah L. ^[2] ; Bruemmer, Jason E. ^[2] ; Winger, Quinton A. ^[2] ; Bouma, Gerrit J. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Anim Sci & Food Engn, Dept Vet Med, Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

^[2] Colorado State Univ, Anim Reprod & Biotechnol Lab, Coll Vet & Biomed Sci, Dept Biomed Sci, Ft Collins, CO 80523 - USA

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Journal of Endocrinology; v. 236, n. 1, p. R15-R27, JAN 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 17

Abstract

Mammalian gamete maturation requires extensive signaling between germ cells and their surrounding somatic cells. In the ovary, theca cells, mural granulosa cells, cumulus cells and the oocyte all secrete factors throughout follicle growth and maturation that are critical for ovulation of a high-quality oocyte with the competence to develop into an embryo. Similarly, maturation of sperm occurs as it transits the epididymis during which epididymal epithelium and sperm exchange secretory factors that are required for sperm to gain motility and fertility. Recent studies in a variety of species have uncovered the presence of cell-secreted vesicles in follicular fluid (microvesicles and exosomes) and epididymal fluid (epididymosomes). Moreover, these cell-secreted vesicles contain small non-coding regulatory RNAs called microRNAs, which can be shuttled between maturing gametes and surrounding somatic cells. Although little is known about the exact mechanism of how microRNAs are loaded into these cell-secreted vesicles or are transferred and modulate gene expression and function in gametes, recent studies clearly suggest that cell-secreted vesicle microRNAs play a role in oocyte and sperm maturation. Moreover, a role for cell-secreted vesicular microRNAs in gamete maturation provides for novel opportunities to modulate and discover new diagnostic markers associated with male or female fertility. This manuscript provides an overview of cell-secreted vesicles in ovarian follicular fluid and epididymal fluid and microRNAs and discusses recent discoveries on the potential function of cell-secreted vesicles as carriers of microRNAs in oocyte and sperm maturation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/10473-3 - Role of cell-secreted vesicles in ovarian follicular fluid during oocyte maturation and their involvement in controlling epigenetic changes
• Grantee: Juliano Coelho da Silveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/16985-1 - Cell-secreted vesicles containing miRNAs modulate epigenetic changes during in vitro culture of bovine gametes and embryos
• Grantee: Juliano Coelho da Silveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 12/50533-2 - GIFT: genomic improvement of fertilization traits in Danish and Brazilian cattle
• Grantee: Marcelo Fábio Gouveia Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/02037-0 - Description of a new mechanism involved in cellular communication between female reproductive system cells and oocyte mediated by extracellular vesicles and their impacts on oocyte maturation, fertilization and bovine embryo cleavage
• Grantee: Ana Clara Faquineli Cavalcante Mendes de Ávila
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 14/22887-0 - Cell-secreted vesicles containing miRNAs modulate epigenetic changes during in vitro culture of bovine gametes and embryos
• Grantee: Juliano Coelho da Silveira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants