CMKLR1 deficiency maintains ovarian steroid production in mice treated chronically with dihydrotestosterone

Sci Rep. 2016 Feb 19:6:21328. doi: 10.1038/srep21328.

Abstract

Elevated serum chemerin levels correlate with increased severity of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the role of CMKLR1 signaling in ovarian biology under conditions of excess DHT remains unclear. In this study we compared the effects of continuous 90-day high dose DHT exposure (83.3 □g/day) on wild type and CMKLR1-deficient mice. DHT induced PCOS-like clinical signs in wild type mice as well as significant changes in the expression of hormone receptors, steroid synthesis enzymes, and BMPs and their receptors. In contrast, CMKLR1-deficient mice significantly attenuated DHT-induced clinical signs of PCOS and alterations in ovarian gene expression. To determine whether the BMP4 signaling pathway was involved in the pathogenic effects of CMKLR1 signaling in DHT-induced ovarian steroidogenesis, antral follicles were isolated from wild type and CMKLR1 knockout (KO) mice and treated in vitro with combinations of hCG, DHT, and BMP4 inhibitors. BMP4 inhibition attenuated the induction effects of hCG and DHT on estrogen and progesterone secretion in CMKLR1 KO mice, but not in WT mice, implicating the BMP4 signaling pathway in the CMKLR1-dependent response to DHT. In conclusion, CMKLR1 gene deletion attenuates the effects of chronic DHT treatment on ovarian function in experimental PCOS, likely via BMP4 signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Dihydrotestosterone / metabolism*
  • Dihydrotestosterone / pharmacology
  • Estrous Cycle
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / biosynthesis
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Ovarian Follicle / drug effects
  • Ovarian Follicle / metabolism
  • Ovarian Follicle / pathology
  • Ovary / drug effects
  • Ovary / metabolism*
  • Ovary / pathology
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / genetics
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / metabolism
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / pathology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / deficiency*
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism
  • Steroids / biosynthesis*
  • Steroids / blood

Substances

  • CMKLR1 protein, mouse
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Steroids
  • Dihydrotestosterone