ESA-SRB-AOTA 2019

Modulatory effects of TGF-β and BMP6 on thecal angiogenesis and steroidogenesis in the bovine ovary (#676)

Dareen Mattar 1 , Moafaq Samir 1 , Mhairi Laird 1 , Phil G Knight 1
  1. University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom

Angiogenesis plays an integral role in follicular and luteal development and is positively regulated by several intra-ovarian factors including vascular endothelial-derived growth factor A (VEGFA) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Various transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily members function as intra-ovarian regulators of follicle and luteal function but their potential roles in modulating ovarian angiogenesis have received little attention. In this study, we used a bovine theca interna culture model to examine the effects of TGF-beta1 and bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) on angiogenesis and steroidogenesis. VEGFA/FGF2 treatment promoted endothelial cell network formation but had little or no effect on progesterone and androstenedione secretion or expression of key steroidogenesis-related genes. TGF-beta 1 suppressed basal and VEGFA/FGF2-induced endothelial cell network formation, progesterone secretion and expression of key steroidogenesis-related genes, actions that were reversed by an activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) inhibitor (SB-431542). The ALK5 inhibitor alone raised androstenedione secretion and CYP17A1 expression. BMP6 also suppressed endothelial cell network formation under VEGFA/FGF2-stimulated conditions and inhibited progesterone secretion and expression of several key steroidogenesis-related genes under basal and VEGFA/FGF2-stimulated conditions. These actions were reversed by an ALK1/2 inhibitor (K02288). Moreover, the ALK1/2 inhibitor alone augmented endothelial network formation, progesterone secretion, androstenedione secretion and expression of key steroidogenesis-related genes including CYP17A1. The results indicate dual suppressive actions of both TGF-beta 1 and BMP6 on follicular angiogenesis and steroidogenesis. Further experiments are needed to unravel the complex interactions between TGF-beta superfamily signalling and other regulatory factors controlling ovarian angiogenesis and steroidogenesis.