Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) increases the expression of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor in human granulosa cells

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) on FSH receptor (FSHR) expression in human granulosa cells.

Design: Laboratory study using human samples.

Setting: University hospital.

Patient(s): Human granulosa cells were obtained from 60 women undergoing oocyte retrieval for IVF.

Intervention(s): Human granulosa cells (GCs) were cultured with recombinant BMP-7, followed by RNA extraction.

Main outcome measure(s): mRNA levels of GCs were measured by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Result(s): Bone morphogenetic protein 7 increased FSHR gene expression in human luteinized granulosa cells, whereas it decreased LH receptor gene expression. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 also increased FSH-induced cyclic adenosine monophosphate production in GCs, indicating up-regulation of the cellular response to FSH. Although BMP-7 increased gene expression of activin-betaA and -betaB in GCs, inhibition of activin function did not affect the BMP-7-induced FSHR gene expression.

Conclusion(s): These findings provide new insight into the biologic function of BMP-7 in the human ovary and demonstrate its unique mechanism of regulating FSHR action.