Embryology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Embryology, including details on stem cells, reproduction, transplants, cloning.

The chemokine SDF-1/CXCL12 contributes to T lymphocyte recruitment in human pre-ovulatory follicles and coordinates with lymphocytes to increase granulosa cell survival and embryo quality.

Kryczek I, Frydman N, Gaudin F, Krzysiek R, Fanchin R, Emilie D, Chouaib S, Zou W, Machelon V

INSERM Unité 131 Cytokines et Immunorégulation, Institut Paris-Sud Sur les Cytokines, IFR 13, rue des Carnets, Clamart, France.

We investigated the production and the role of the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) in pre-ovulatory follicles of women undergoing in vitro fertilization. We detected CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 by flow cytometry, western blotting and RT-PCR. We tested cell migration in Transwell experiments. We measured apoptosis using delta psi m-sensitive fluorescent probe DiOC6(3) and we screened apoptosis-related gene expression with macro-arrays. Granulosa cells from follicular aspirates produce CXCL12 that contributes to T lymphocytes recruitment. CXCL12 reduces early apoptosis of granulosa cells. This effect is accompanied by a shift of bcl2/bax ratio, and decreased expression of p53-targeted genes (pig7, pig8, p21, gadd45). Removal of lymphocytes disables CXCL12-mediated anti-apoptotic effect on granulosa cells. Anti-apoptotic activity of CXCL12 is positively correlated to high quality of embryos. In conclusion, CXCL12 is locally produced by luteinizing granulosa cells. It specifically contributes to T lymphocytes recruitment and coordinates with local lymphocytes to increase granulosa cell survival and embryo quality.

Published 10 October 2005 in Am J Reprod Immunol, 54(5): 270-83.
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