Altered transcriptome in cumulus cells of infertile women with advanced endometriosis with and without endometrioma

Author(s)

Da Luz, Caroline M. ; Da Broi, Michele G. ; Placa, Jessica R. ; Silva Jr, Wilson A. ; Meola, Juliana ; Navarro, Paula A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Reproductive BioMedicine Online; v. 42, n. 5, p. 11-pg., 2021-04-22.

Abstract

Research question: Is the transcriptome of cumulus cells of infertile women with advanced endometriosis (EIII/IV), with and without endometrioma, altered? Design: In this prospective case-control study, next-generation RNA sequencing was used to compare the transcript profile of cumulus cells among infertile patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection with EIII/IV, with (n = 9) and without endometrioma (n = 9), and controls (n = 9). An in-silico enrichment analysis was conducted to establish the possibly altered pathways in cumulus cells of patients with endometriosis. Results: Most of the differentially expressed genes (DEG) were found when cumulus cells from women with EIII/ IV with endometrioma were compared with controls (DEG, n = 461). In women with EIII/IV without endometrioma, only 66 DEG were verified compared with controls. The enrichment analysis showed that some DEG in cumulus cells of endometriosis are involved in important pathways for the oocyte competence acquisition, such as oxidative phosphorylation, metabolism, mitochondrial function, acetylation and steroid biosynthesis. No DEG were found when cumulus cells from women with EIII/IV with and without endometrioma were compared. Conclusion: RNA sequencing results suggest that cumulus cells of infertile women with EIII/IV have an altered transcriptome, regardless of endometrioma. The present findings offer a better understanding of the genes and molecular mechanisms that may be involved in endometriosis-related infertility, mostly in the oocyte competence acquisition process. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/02683-0 - Differential profile of gene expression in cumulus oophorus cells of infertile women with and without endometriosis who underwent ovarian stimulation
• Grantee: Caroline Mantovani da Luz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 14/05878-7 - Differential profile of gene expression in cumulus cells of infertile women with and without endometriosis who underwent ovarian stimulation
• Grantee: Paula Andrea de Albuquerque Salles Navarro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants