Hui-Hui Shen, Xin-Yan Zhang, Nan Liu, Yang-Yang Zhang, Hui-Hua Wu, Feng Xie, Wen-Jun Wang, Ming-Qing Li
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Age-related changes in the ovarian microenvironment are linked to impaired fertility in women. Macrophages play important roles in ovarian tissue homeostasis and immune surveillance. However, the impact of aging on ovarian macrophage function and ovarian homeostasis remains poorly understood.
Methods: Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL staining were used to assess senescence and apoptosis, respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis in granulosa cells lines (KGN), and macrophages phagocytosis. After a 2-month treatment with low molecular weight Chitosan (LMWC), ovarian tissues from mice were collected for comprehensive analysis.
Results: Compared with the liver and uterus, the ovary displayed accelerated aging in an age-dependent manner, which was accompanied by elevated levels of inflammatory factors and apoptotic cells, and impaired macrophage phagocytic activity. The aged KGN cells exhibited elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic levels alongside decreased MMP. H2O2-induced aging macrophages showed reduced phagocytosis function. Moreover, there were excessive aging macrophages with impaired phagocytosis in the follicular fluid of patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Notably, LMWC administration alleviated ovarian aging by enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and promoting tissue homeostasis.
Conclusions: Aging ovarian is characterized by an accumulation of aging and apoptotic granulosa cells, an inflammatory response and macrophage phagocytosis dysfunction. In turn, impaired phagocytosis of macrophage contributes to insufficient clearance of aging and apoptotic granulosa cells and the increased risk of DOR. Additionally, LMWC emerges as a potential therapeutic strategy for age-related ovarian dysfunction.
期刊介绍:
Immunity & Ageing is a specialist open access journal that was first published in 2004. The journal focuses on the impact of ageing on immune systems, the influence of aged immune systems on organismal well-being and longevity, age-associated diseases with immune etiology, and potential immune interventions to increase health span. All articles published in Immunity & Ageing are indexed in the following databases: Biological Abstracts, BIOSIS, CAS, Citebase, DOAJ, Embase, Google Scholar, Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition, OAIster, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Citation Index Expanded, SCImago, Scopus, SOCOLAR, and Zetoc.