Riley S C, Gibson A H, Leask R, Mauchline D J, Pedersen H G, Watson E D
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Section, Department of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 37 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9ET, UK.
Reproduction. 2001 Apr;121(4):553-60.
Extensive tissue remodelling is required in equine ovaries for follicle growth and development and also migration of the follicle to the ovulatory fossa, where ovulation occurs. The mechanisms for these processes are largely unexplored. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are important for control of breakdown of extracellular matrix during tissue remodelling. The aims of this study were to determine the pattern and sites of secretion of the gelatinases MMP-2 and -9 and TIMPs into follicular fluid during follicle development in mare ovaries. The predominant gelatinase detected in follicular fluid was MMP-2, which was present in similar amounts throughout follicular development, as demonstrated by zymography. MMP-9 was also present in follicular fluid and secretion increased significantly (P < 0.05) with development of follicles from < 10 mm to 11-20 mm in diameter. Follicular fluid also contained TIMP-1, TIMP-2, unglycosylated and glycosylated TIMP-3, and TIMP-4, as shown by reverse zymography. The abundance of TIMPs remained largely unchanged during follicle development. MMP-2 and -9 were localized by immunohistochemistry to stromal cells and granulosa and theca cells. TIMP-1, -2, -3 and -4 were present in granulosa and theca cells of the follicle and in stromal cells and also associated with extracellular matrix of the ovarian stromal tissue. The MMPs and TIMPs are likely to be involved in the regulation of the breakdown of extracellular matrix during tissue remodelling for follicle development and migration to the ovulation fossa in mares.
马卵巢中卵泡的生长发育以及卵泡向排卵窝（排卵发生的部位）的迁移需要广泛的组织重塑。这些过程的机制在很大程度上尚未被探索。基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）及其内源性组织抑制剂（TIMPs）对于组织重塑过程中细胞外基质的降解控制至关重要。本研究的目的是确定在母马卵巢卵泡发育过程中，明胶酶MMP - 2和 - 9以及TIMPs向卵泡液中的分泌模式和部位。通过酶谱分析表明，卵泡液中检测到的主要明胶酶是MMP - 2，其在整个卵泡发育过程中含量相似。MMP - 9也存在于卵泡液中，并且随着卵泡直径从小于10毫米发育到11 - 20毫米，其分泌显著增加（P < 0.05）。反向酶谱分析显示，卵泡液中还含有TIMP - 1、TIMP - 2、未糖基化和糖基化的TIMP - 3以及TIMP - 4。在卵泡发育过程中，TIMPs的丰度基本保持不变。通过免疫组织化学将MMP - 2和 - 9定位到基质细胞、颗粒细胞和卵泡膜细胞。TIMP - 1、 - 2、 - 3和 - 4存在于卵泡的颗粒细胞和卵泡膜细胞以及基质细胞中，并且也与卵巢基质组织的细胞外基质相关。MMPs和TIMPs可能参与了母马卵泡发育和向排卵窝迁移过程中组织重塑期间细胞外基质降解的调节。
