Gonadotropin receptors in rat ovarian tissue: III. Binding sites for luteinizing hormone and differentiation of granulosa cells to luteal cells.
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Comparison of the binding of human chorionic gonadotropin to isolated bovine luteal cells and bovine luteal plasma membranes.
The specific binding of [125-I]iodohCG to intact luteal cells obtained from bovine corpus luteum by enzymatic treatment, or to purified plasma membranes obtained from bovine corpus luteum has been compared. It was a saturable process with respect to the [125-]iodohCG concentration. Specific binding could be detected at concentrations as low as 1.8 ng of HCG per ml and saturation achieved at 92 ng/ml. The [125-I]iodohCG specifically bound to the luteal cells or to the plasma membranes was displaced by increasing concentrations of native hCG. Subunits hCGalpha and beta had respectively 200- and 800-fold less activity than hCG. Four to 10 times more ovine LH than hCG was required to displace an identical amount of bound [125-I]iodohCG. The binding of hCG to its receptor site was a function of time and temperature. The affinity of hCG for its receptor sites in luteal cells or plasma membranes of luteal cells was similar (dissociation constants of 5.3 and 3.8 times 10- minus 10 M, respectively). The number of sites per luteal cell was 5 times 10-4 and the capacity of plasma membranes to bind hCG was 140 fmol per mg of protein at saturation. The data does not, however, allow a comparison between the number of binding sites in the two preparations. It is concluded that the enzymatic treatment necessary to obtain a suspension of viable luteal cells does not affect the kinetic characteristics of the binding of hCG to receptor sites since they are similar to those of plasma membranes not treated with proteolytic enzymes.
Animals↗
Luteal cell receptor content for prolactin (PRL) and luteinizing hormone (LH): regulation by LH and PRL.
The effect of LH and PRL during the differentiation of granulosa cells to luteal cells was examined by determining the ability of LH and PRL to regulate luteal cell receptor content for these hormones and to increase production of progesterone. Preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea were hormonally induced in immature hypophysectomized female rats by sequential treatment with estradiol, hFSH and oLH. The content of receptor for LH was high in granulosa cells of large antral follicles. Administration of LH caused receptor for LH to decrease markedly within 24 h and to remain low for 96 h. In contrast, granulosa cell content of receptor for PRL increased progressively for 48 h following LH stimulation and remained elevated in fully luteinized cells at 96 h. This increase in PRL receptor appears to be functionally related to the ability of luteal cells to respond to PRL. When PRL was given for 4 days after LH, both luteal cell progesterone production and LH receptor content increased progressively after, but not before, 48 h. Since these changes occurred in the absence of LH, the increase in LH receptor appears to be a consequence of, but not a requirement for, the PRL-induced increase in progesterone production. If daily injections of PRL were delayed for 72 or 96 h following LH induction of lutenization, luteolytic rather than luteotropic effects of PRL were observed. Since receptor for PRL remained elevated at 72 and 96 h, intracellular mechanisms and not receptor content, appear to be effecting the response of luteal cell to PRL.
20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone↗
Effects of fibroblast and epidermal growth factors on ovarian cell proliferation in vitro. II. Proliferative response of luteal cells to FGF but not EGF.
The effect of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on luteal cell proliferation in vitro has been examined. Luteal cells maintained in the presence of low serum (1%) go through a doubling after 7 days. Addition of EGF induced one more doubling of the cells, after which the cells became resting. In contrast, FGF induced the cells to divide logarithmically with a cell cycle of 48 h. The effect of FGF was dependent on the serum and FGF concentrations. It has been obtained with serum concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 10% and with FGF concentrations ranging from 0.1 ng to 10 ng/ml. The half-maximal FGF response was observed at 1.5 x 10(-11)M. In contrast, EGF has no effect besides causing an initial cell doubline within the same range of serum or FGF concentrations. Since granulosa cells have been shown to be highly sensitive to EGF as well as FGF, it can be concluded that during the luteinization process that sensitivity of the cells to EGF is lost, while the sensitivity of FGF is retained. This demonstrates that although luteal cells and granulosa cells are interrelated cell types their sensitivity to growth factors such as EGF is quite different.
Blood↗
Luteotropic regulation of dispersed rat luteal cells in early pregnancy.
Viable and functional luteal cells were prepared, using a combination of hyaluronidase, collagenase, and a low concentration of trypsin in a Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium containing 0.5% bovine serum albumin and 3.3 mM Ca++, from corpora lutea taken from 2-day pregnant rats. The viability and functional capacity of the dispersed cells were evaluated by electronmicroscopy and by measuring steroidogenic capicity during perifusion. Dispersed luteal cells previously exposed in vivo to biphasic prolactin (PRL) surges were found to respond during perifusion to as little as 0.5 ng/ml LH by increased steroid secretion. The net progesterone synthesis and secretion remained elevated over a time course of 2 1/2 hours perifusion, and the magnitude of the luteotropic stimulation was dose dependent on LH. However, luteotropic stimulation of LH could not be maintained beyond 2 1/2 h without renewed (in vitro) PRL exposure. PRL by itself maintained the low initial secretion rate of progesterone but demonstrated no stimulatory effect. Different steroidogenic responses were noted during the in vitro administration of LH alone and the administration of LH plus PRL. In the former case, the decreasing rate of progesterone secretion was accompanied by an increasing 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone secretion, suggesting that luteal 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was not suppressed. In the latter case, progesterone secretion was maintained and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone secretion fell suggesting an inhibitory action by PRL against 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Dispersed luteal cells, preincubated at 36 C in medium containing only PRL, retained viability and functional capacity in response to LH-PRL stimulation for periods of time up to 48 h. Preincubation with LH alone did not prolong cell viability.
20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone↗
The corpus luteum of the guinea pig. IV. Fine structure of macrophages during pregnancy and postpartum luteolysis, and the phagocytosis of luteal cells.
Little information is available on the ultrastructure of macrophages in the corpus luteum or their importance in the regression of luteal tissue. In the present study, the fine structure of activated luteal macrophages during pregnancy and the postpartum period was examined by electron microscopy of guinea pig ovaries fixed by vascular perfusion. In these corpora lutea, macrophages can readily be distinguished from luteal cells. Activated macrophages typically display three prominent inclusions in their cytoplasm: (1) heterophagic vacuoles, (2) distinctive large dense inclusions, and (3) large and small electron-lucent vacuoles. In addition, they contain numerous smaller lysosome-like dense bodies. Activated macrophages in corpora lutea also characteristically show many surface protrusions, such as processes, folds or pseudopodia, which often occur in close contact with nearby luteal cells. Generally, nuclei of macrophages are irregular in shape and display a dense border of heterochromatin, thus differing from those of luteal cells. Macrophages seem to be most abundant in regressing corpora lutea, where they commonly display heterophagic vacuoles containing recognizable luteal cell fragments, evidence that these phagocytes ingest senescent luteal cells. The digestion of luteal cell components in heterophagic vacuoles presumably gives rise to the distinctive large dense inclusions typically seen in macrophages. The findings of this study indicate that macrophages play a central role in luteolysis by phagocytizing luteal cells or their remnants. They therefore appear to bring about the reduction in volume of the corpus luteum that occurs as this tissue regresses. These results taken together with those previously published (Paavola, '78) further indicate that breakdown of the corpus luteum during postpartum luteolysis in guinea pigs involves both autophagy and heterophagy.
Animals↗
The small luteal cell of the sheep.
Corpora lutea of sheep were examined by electron microscopy at day 10 of the oestrous cycle and at days 15, 25, 50, 100, 125 and 140 of pregnancy. Small luteal cells were present in all corpora lutea, and were two to three times as numerous as large luteal cells. The former were irregular in shape, with tapering cytoplasmic processes. Their major cytoplasmic organelles were a predominantly smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria with tubular and lamellar cristae, and one or more Golgi complexes. The enzyme delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was present in their cytoplasm. Small luteal cells were often interposed between large luteal cells and capillaries, and formed close, complex surface relationships with large luteal cells. Small and large luteal cells differed in many ways, including the restriction of numerous approximately 0.2 micron cytoplasmic granules to the large cells, and no cells of intermediate structure were observed. These features of small luteal cells suggest a steroid hormone synthetic function, and direct interaction with large luteal cells.
3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
The morphological transformation and inhibition of growth of bovine luteal cells in tissue culture induced by luteinizing hormone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP.
The luteal cells obtained from bovine corpus luteum by enzymatic treatment have been maintained in tissue culture. When the cells were maintained in the absence of luteinizing hormone or dibutyryl cyclic AMP, they grew parallel to one another and were elongated, thus giving to the culture a fibroblastic appearance. No contact inhibition was observed and the progestin secretion rate was low (3 pg per cell per day). In contrast, when luteinizing hormone or dibutyryl cyclic AMP was present, the cells became polygonal, growing as a monolayer and taking the appearance of epithelial cells. In this case contact inhibition was observed. The rate of progestin secretion was 250 pg per cell per day. As soon as luteinizing hormone or dibutyryl cyclic AMP was removed from the media, the cells reverted to a fibroblastic appearance. Agents such as colcemid, vinblastin or cytochalasin B inhibited the morphological effect of luteinizing hormone or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Since those agents are known to inhibit the assembly of microtubules, the data suggest that LH and dibutyryl cyclic AMP act by promoting the organization of microtubules from protein monomers. This microtubular system (cytoskeleton) is responsible for the morphological appearance of the cells. Concomitant with the morphological changes induced by luteinizing hormone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP an inhibition in the growth rate of luteal cells was observed. It suggests that by raising the intracellular level of cyclic AMP the luteinizing hormone inhibits the division of luteal cells and is not, for that reason, a mitogenic agent. A similar effect was obtained with other agents known to stimulate cyclic AMP production such asthe prostaglandins. Steroids such as glucocorticoids and testosterone but not progesterone also inhibited the growth rate. It is concluded that luteinizing hormone by controlling the level of cyclic AMP within the luteal cells is responsible for the expression of the phenotype of the cells and the maintenance of differentiation.
Animals↗
Mechanism of the rapid antigonadotropic action of prostaglandins in cultured luteal cells.
A reproducible method for dissociation and culture of rat luteal cells is described. The concentration of LH required to produce half-maximal stimulation of progesterone secretion was 50 ng/ml. The effects of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) on basal and luteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated progesterone production were examined. Both prostaglandins stimulated basal progesterone production but PGE(2) was about twice as active, showing a 2-fold maximal stimulation at 0.75 muM. When either prostaglandin was incubated simultaneously with LH, a dose-dependent inhibition of progesterone secretion occurred; PGF(2alpha) was 4 times more active than PGE(2), showing 50% inhibition at a concentration of 40 x nM. Thus, both prostaglandins are more active as antagonists than as agonists of LH with respect to progesterone secretion. PGF(2alpha) also inhibited LH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and cyclic AMP accumulation. The block in progesterone secretion was reversed by addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) but not by theophylline (5 mM) alone. These data and the finding that PGF(2alpha) did not affect the specific binding activity of the LH receptor in intact luteal cells indicate that the rapid action of prostaglandins in luteal cells is due to a block of LH-dependent production of cyclic AMP which results in a decrease in progesterone secretion.
Adenylyl Cyclases↗
Localization of LH receptors on luteal cells with a ferritin--LH conjugate.
In order to study the distribution of LH (HCG) receptors on luteal cells ferritin was coupled to ovine LH with glutaraldehyde and purified by gel chromatography. The conjugate (FELH) competed with 125I-hCG for binding to isolated luteal membranes and stimulated a dose-dependent release of progesterone (P) from isolated luteal cells which was inhibited by PGF2 alpha. FELH was distributed as single molecules or in small clusters at intervals on the surfaces of luteal cells labeled at 37 degrees C, 4 degrees C or with formaldehyde prefixation. Capping or preferential labeling at one site was not observed. The general distribution of LH (hCG) binding sites at 37 degrees C was confirmed by light-microscopic autoradiography. The distribution at 4 degrees C or with prefixation was more diffuse than at 37 degrees C suggesting that FELH binding induces small changes in receptor aggregation. Binding of FELH was specific since excess hCG reduced FELH binding to luteal cells. In cells labeled at 4 degrees C, rinsed and warmed to 37 degrees C FELH was observed along cell surfaces and within some coated vesicles and a few lysosomes within minutes suggesting that receptor internalization is a rapid and possibly continual process.
Animals↗
A possible interrelationship between gonadotrophin stimulation and prostaglandin F2alpha inhibition of steroidogenesis by granulosa-luteal cells in vitro.
The newly formed corpus luteum of many species is refractory to the lytic action of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). This phenomenon was studied utilizing porcine, bovine and human granulosa-luteal cells in tissue culture. The steroidogenic potential of the granulosa-luteal cells was critical in determining whether PGF2alpha could inhibit progesterone production. Since the steroidogenic potential of the granulosa-luteal cell is related to the amount of LH bound to the cell, the bound LH may protect the granulosa-luteal cells from the lytic action of PGF2alpha. Finally, a 'see-saw' type of interaction between LH and PGF2alpha is postulated to account for the resistance of the newly formed corpus luteum to PGF2alpha.
Animals↗
Inhibition of human chorionic gonadotropin-induced progesterone synthesis by estradiol in isolated human luteal cells.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether estrogens exerted a direct inhibitory effect on progesterone synthesis in isolated human luteal cells in vitro. It was found that hCG stimulated progesterone synthesis by luteal cells, obtained from corpora lutea of the menstrual cycle, whereas cells isolated from corpora lutea of pregnancy were unresponsive to exogenous hCG. Estradiol markedly inhibited (P less than 0.001) this hCG effect in luteal cells of the menstrual cycle, and this inhibition was dose dependent. Estradiol did not block the stimulation of cAMP accumulated by hCG in the luteal cells of the cycle but did inhibit the stimulatory effect of dibutyryl cAMP on progesterone synthesis. These data suggest that estrogens may directly cause functional luteolysis in the human and that its site of action may be after the accumulation of cAMP.
Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
In vitro evaluation of corpus luteum function of cycling and pregnant rhesus monkeys: Progesterone Production by dispersed luteal cells.
Corpus luteum function in the cycling and the pregnant rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) was evaluated through short term in vitro studies of progesterone production by suspensions of collagenase-dispersed luteal cells in the presence and absence of exogenous gonadotropin (human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG). Cells from mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle secreted progesterone, as measured by accumulation of this hormone in the incubation medium, and responded to the addition of 100 ng HCG/ml with a marked increase in progesterone secretion significantly above basal level (63.7 +/- 13.1 versus 24.7 +/- 5.5 ng progesterone/ml/5 x 10(4) cells/3 hr, X +/- S.E., n =6 ; p less than 0.05). However, luteal cells from early pregnancy (23-26 days after fertilization) secreted siginificantly less progesterone than cells of the non-fertile menstrual cycle (3.6 +/- 2.4 versus 24.7 +/- 5.5 ng/ml/5 x 10(4) cells/3 hr, n =3 ; p less than 0.05) and did not respond to HCG with enhanced secretion. By mid-pregnancy (108-118 days gestation ) luteal cells exhibited partially renewed function, and near the time of parturition (163-166 days gestation) basal and HCG-stimulated progesterone secretion (30.2 +/- 5.6 and 63.0 +/- 13.0 ng/ml/5 x 10(4) cells/3 hr, respectively; n = 3) was equivalent to that of cells from the luteal phase of the non-fertile menstrual cycle. The data suggest that following a period around the fourth week of gestation, when steroidogenic activity is markedly diminished, the corpus luteum of pregnancy progressively reacquires its functional capacity and at term exhibits gonadotropin-sensitive steroidogenesis similar to that the corpus luteum of the menstrual cycle.
Animals↗
The corpus luteum of the guinea pig. II. Cytochemical studies on the Golgi complex, GERL, and lysosomes in luteal cells during maximal progesterone secretion.
This study characterizes the cytochemical properties of the Golgi complex, the structure which corresponds to Golgi complex-endoplasmic reticulum-lysosomes (GERL), and the granule population in luteal cells of guinea pigs at the time of maximum progesterone secretion, in material fixed by vascular perfusion, a method particularly suited for preserving both fine structure and enzyme activity. The distribution of several marker enzymes was determined by electron microscope cytochemistry. Acid phosphatase (ACPase) and arylsulfatase were used to identify structures containing lysosomal proteins. To resolve specific problems, additional cytochemical markers were employed: localization of thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) (in the Golgi complex) and alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) (a plasma membrane marker), and prolonged osmication (a generally accepted method of marking the outer cisterna of the Golgi complex). The results demonstrate that at the time of peak steroid secretion the Golgi complex in luteal cells, in marked contrast to that of most other cell types, typically displays intense ACPase activity in all of its cisternae. Similarly, all Golgi cisternae stain after prolonged osmication and may show TPPase activity. On the other hand, GERL in luteal cells of this age, unlike that in most cells, commonly shows low levels of, or lacks, ACPase activity. However, GERL resembles that of other cell types in being TPPase-negative and in being unstained by treatment with aqueous OsO4. GERL and some Golgi cisternae are reactive for ALPase. The granule population in luteal cells of this stage consists of lysosomes, multivesicular bodies, electrontransparent vacuoles, and microperoxisome-like bodies. These results form a base line with which luteolytic changes described in the companion study (Paavola, L.G. 1978. The corpus luteum of the guinea pig. III. Cytochemical studies on the Golgi complex and GERL during normal postpartum regression of luteal cells, emphasizing the origin of lysosomes and autophagic vacuoles. J. Cell. Biol. 79:59--73.) can be compared.
Acid Phosphatase↗
Gonadotropin-sensitive progesterone production by rhesus monkey luteal cells in vitro: a function of age of the corpus luteum during the menstrual cycle.
Progesterone production in vitro, in the presence and absence of exogenous gonadotropin, was examined in suspensions of luteal cells, isolated by collagenase digestion of rhesus monkeys corpus luteum at various stages of the menstrual cycle. Cells isolated during mid-luteal phase (days 15-19) of the cycle secreted progesterone for up to 6 h in vitro. Mid-luteal phase cells were responsive to physiologic concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), with progesterone production significantly (P less than 0.05) enhanced by as little as 0.1 ng hCG/ml. Maximal stimulation was obtained with 100 ng hCG/ml. Both macaque chorionic gonadotropin (mCG) and human luteinizing hormone (hLH) significantly (P less than 0.01) increased progesterone production, while human follicle stimulating hormone (hFSH) did not. Under control conditions, in the presence of nutrient medium alone (no exogenous gonadotropin), the progesterone synthetic activity of mid-luteal phase cells was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than that of cells from late luteal phase (days 22-28) of the cycle. Moreover, progesterone production by mid-luteal phase cells was consistently stimulated (P less than 0.01) by the presence of 100 ng hCG/ml, whereas late luteal phase cells were less sensitive or unresponsive to exogenous gonadotropin. The progesterone synthetic activity of luteal cells in vitro correlated positively with both the wet weight of the excised corpus luteum (r = 0.82, P less than 0.01) and the peripheral serum progesterone concentration immediately preceding luteectomy (r = 0.66, P less than 0.01). These findings suggest that freshly isolated luteal cells reflect the functional capability of the corpus luteum in vivo. It is apparent that the age of the rhesus monkey corpus luteum of the non-fertile menstrual cycle is an important factor governing luteal cell progesterone synthetic capability and luteal cell responsiveness to gonadotropin in vitro.
Animals↗
Receptor regulation and target cell responses: studies in the ovarian luteal cell.
Studies of hormone-induced 'desensitization' in the luteinized rat ovary show that changes in receptor number and adenylate cyclase at the cell surface result in an altered biological effect of luteinizing hormone on progesterone production. The sensitivity of these effects to changes in gonadotropin levels suggests that receptor turnover or processing is involved in the normal mechanism of hormone action.
Animals↗
Selected properties of [3H]prostaglandin E1 binding to dispersed bovine luteal cells.
Selected properties of [3H]prostaglandin (PG) E1 binding to collagenase dispersed bovine luteal cells were studied and compared with those observed in luteal plasma membranes. [3H]-PGE1 specific binding to a relatively homogeneous population of luteal cells was a rapid (K1 = 4.2 X 10(5) M-1 .sec-1), reversible (K-1 = 3.9 X 10(-3) sec-1), saturable and specific process at 38 degrees C. The binding was homogeneous with an apparent dissociation constant of 2.4 nM and 1.8 X 10(5) receptors per cell. The presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled PGs inhibited [3H]PGE1 binding in a dose-dependent manner. The potency order for this inhibition of binding was: PGE 2 greater than PGE1, (15S)-15-methyl-PGE2 methyl ester greater than PGF2alpha greater than PGF1alpha greater than other PGs, PGE, PGF metabolites and PGF analogs. Other than the homogeneous nature of [3H]PGE1 binding and the greater effectiveness of PGE2 compared to PGE1 in cells, the rest of the properties of [3H]PGE1 binding to cells were in excellent agreement with those observed in plasma membranes.
Animals↗
Varying response to luteinizing hormone of two luteal cell types isolated from bovine corpus luteum.
Luteal cell suspensions obtained by enzymatic digestion of pregnant cow corpus luteum were found to be heterogenous and mainly made up of two types of cells of different sizes. The large cells (37 micrometers, average diameter) could be separated from the small ones (18 micrometers, average diameter) by sedimentation at unit gravity in a gradient of Ficoll-bovine serum albumin. A comparative in-vitro study of the synthesis of progesterone by the two types of cells indicated striking differences between them. The average content and the synthesis of progesterone in the absence and presence of a saturating dose of bovine LH after incubation for 2 h were 0.07, 0.12 and 6.9 pg/cell for the small cells and 0.65, 2 and 10 pg/cell for the large ones. Moreover, the sensitivity to low concentrations of LH was 100 to 1000 times higher for the small cells than for the large ones. Oestradiol-17 beta at concentrations ranging from 5 X 10(-10) to 5 X 10(-4) mol/l exerted a dose-dependent inhibition on the stimulation of LH in both cell types. These results suggest a possible involvement of both cell types in the synthesis of progesterone in vivo with a greater contribution by the small cells to stimulation induced by LH. Moreover, it appears that small cell suspensions could be a useful model system for in-vitro studies of the control of the synthesis of progesterone in cow corpus luteum.
Animals↗