Plasma-exosomal miR-18a-3p regulates CITED2 expression to affect cumulus cells apoptosis and cell cycle distribution in polycystic ovary syndrome / 中华内分泌外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of plasma exosome miR-18a-3p on of apoptosis and cell cycle cumulus cells (CCs) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) via targeting CITED2.Methods:qRT-PCR assay was used to detect the expression of miR-18a-3p in plasma, plasma-derived exosome and CCs of patients no matter with PCOS and non PCOS. After being transfected with miR-18a-3p mimic, the exosome was co-cultured with CCs, the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of CCs were detected by flow cytometry assays. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed and CITED2 was included in follow up experiments. pcDNA3.1-CITED was transfected into CCs and then co-cultured with exosome to explore the co-effect of miR-18a-3p and CITED2 on the cell cycle and apoptosis of CCs.Results:The plasma-derived exosome isolated from CCs with PCOS were identified successfully, and the expression of miR-18a-3p was significantly decreased in plasma, exosome and CCs in PCOS, compared with that in non-PCOS (all P<0.05) . CITED2 could be regulated as a target of miR-18a-3p in CCs. Compared with NC group, overexpression of miR-18a-3p could significantly decrease proportion of CCs cells in G0/G1 phase and inhibit their apoptosis in PCOS patients (all P<0.05) . The effect of over-expressing miR-18a-3p could be partially reversed by up-regulating CITED2 (all P<0.05) . Conclusions:Plasma exosomal miR-18a-3p has the effect to induce the S phase of CCs cells, subsequently inhibit apoptosis, then restrain the progression of PCOS. Plasma exosomal miR-18a-3p is expected to play a paramount role in the target therapy of PCOS.