Endocrine Abstracts

No Network, no Nobel…Networking is a way of life in science. Every rung on the ladder depends on whom you know as well as what you know. The process begins with choice of supervisor and lab for PhD training. By the time the doctorate is awarded, the newly fledged researcher has already accumulated a network of vital contacts that will usually remain of value, personally and professionally, throughout their career. An important early step is ...

Background Ovarian follicles contain a specialised extracellular matrix (ECM), the basal lamina, separating granulosa cells (GC) and theca cells. An important gonadotrophin-regulated gene in ECM remodeling is LOX, which catalyses cross-linkage of collagen and elastin within ECM. Pro-LOX is proteolytically cleaved to active LOX by bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1), which also cleaves pro-collagens to mature forms. BMP-1 action is enhanced by procollagen C-proteinase enhancer...

Approximately 90% of ovarian cancers are derived from ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells and are believed to result from repeated episodes of ovulation-associated injury and repair. A knowledge of the control of OSE cell survival is therefore of major interest regarding our understanding of ovarian cancers. We have previously demonstrated that CREB protein is activated in OSE cells around pre-ovulatory follicles and suggested that this activation may play a role to promote...

Cytochrome P450arom (aromatase), a marker of granulosa cell differentiation, and CTGF mRNA expression are inversely related in the developing rat follicle, but the cause/effect nature of the relationship is not known. Here, we used semi-quantitative in situ hybridization to analyze the expression of these genes during follicular development in the rat. The effect of CTGF on aromatase enzyme activity in isolated granulosa cells was determined by conversion of ...

Based on the hypothesis that ‘incessant ovulation’ and ‘ovulation-related inflammation’ are associated with the development of epithelial ovarian cancer, we have investigated in vitro the role of androgen and progesterone pre-receptor metabolism and steroid receptor signalling in human ovarian surface epithelium (hOSE) wound healing. Ovulation-associated injury was mimicked with exposure of primary hOSE cells to interleukin-1α, whereas post-ovul...

Introduction:The ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) covers the surface of the ovary, and is subjected to rupture and repair during ovulation. Ovulation bears hallmarks of a wound / heal event, including inflammation. Though integral to ovulation, inflammation may cause cellular damage leading to ovarian tumours, of which >90% are OSE derived. Progesterone, produced in large amounts at ovulation, has anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study wa...

IntroductionThe process of ovulation is believed to contribute to the majority of ovarian cancers that derive from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The OSE is known to be important for successful ovulation and more recently was shown to be sensitive to inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha; Human Reproduction: 17:2300-2306).MethodsNormal OSE cells were obtained, with informed conse...

Introduction Tissue remodelling, and deposition of extracellular matrix and basement membrane are critical processes in the formation and development of ovarian follicles. Collagen is a major component of the ECM. Though there is substantial literature concerning the breakdown of collagen in the ovary, little attention has been given to the processes of collagen formation and deposition. Lysyl oxidase (LO) is critical in this process, being the enzyme responsible for the final...

At least 90% of human ovarian cancers may originate in the OSE. Most studies indicate that EOC is oestrogen responsive. Paradoxically, ovarian cancer generally occurs after the menopause, so the question arises if oestrogen is involved, where does it come from? We hypothesise that the high circulating concentrations of conjugated (inactive) oestrogens in post-menopausal women are substrates for formation of active oestrogen in the OSE through the hydrolytic enzyme activity of ...

IntroductionBased upon epidemiological evidence linking hyperthyroidism, inflammation of the ovarian surface and increased risk of ovarian cancer development, we have studied thyroid receptor expression in human ovarian surface epithelial cells (hOSE), and examined the possibility that triiodothyronine (T3) may have direct effects on hOSE cells, the origin of the vast majority of ovarian tumours.MethodsHuman ...