AUTHOR=Valderrama Ximena , Ulloa-Leal Cesar , Silva Mauricio Erciario , Goicochea Jose , Apichela Silvana , Argañaraz Martin , Sari Luciana , Paiva Luis , Ratto Vicente Francisco , Ratto Marcelo Hector 

TITLE=β-NGF Stimulates Steroidogenic Enzyme and VEGFA Gene Expression, and Progesterone Secretion via ERK 1/2 Pathway in Primary Culture of Llama Granulosa Cells

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=Volume 7 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.586265

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2020.586265

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=Nerve growth factor (β-NGF) from llama seminal plasma exerts ovulatory and luteotrophic effects following intramuscular or intrauterine infusion in llamas and alpacas. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effect of llama β-NGF on the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and progesterone synthesis, as well as progesterone release in preovulatory llama granulosa cells; we also determined whether these changes are mediated via ERK1/2 signaling pathway. From adult female llamas, we collected granulosa cells from preovulatory follicles by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration, these cells were pooled and incubated. After 80 % of confluence, the cultured granulosa cells were treated with β-NGF, β-NGF plus the MAPK inhibitor U0126, or LH, and the abundance of angiogenic and steroidogenic enzymes mRNA transcripts were quantified after 10 and 20 h by RT-qPCR. We also quantified the progesterone concentration in the media after 48 h by radioimmunoassay (RIA). We found that application of β-NGF increased the abundance of mRNA transcripts of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and the steroidogenic enzymes cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc/ CYP11A1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B1) at 10 and 20 h of treatment. Application of the MAPK inhibitor U0126 resulted in downregulation of the genes encoding these enzymes. β-NGF also enhanced progesterone synthesis, which was prevented by the prior application of the MAPK inhibitor U0126. Finally, western blot analysis confirmed that β-NGF activates ERK1/2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, our results indicate that β-NGF exerts direct luteotropic effects on the llama ovarian tissue via ERK 1/2 pathway.