Human Granulosa Cells—Stemness Properties, Molecular Cross-Talk and Follicular Angiogenesis
Claudia Dompe,
Magdalena Kulus,
Katarzyna Stefańska,
Wiesława Kranc,
Błażej Chermuła,
Rut Bryl,
Wojciech Pieńkowski,
Mariusz J. Nawrocki,
James N. Petitte,
Bogusława Stelmach,
Paul Mozdziak,
Michal Jeseta,
Leszek Pawelczyk,
Jędrzej M. Jaśkowski,
Hanna Piotrowska-Kempisty,
Robert Z. Spaczyński,
Michał Nowicki,
Bartosz Kempisty
Affiliations
Claudia Dompe
The School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
Magdalena Kulus
Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
Katarzyna Stefańska
Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
Wiesława Kranc
Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
Błażej Chermuła
Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
Rut Bryl
Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
Wojciech Pieńkowski
Division of Perinatology and Women’s Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
Mariusz J. Nawrocki
Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
James N. Petitte
Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
Bogusława Stelmach
Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
Paul Mozdziak
Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
Michal Jeseta
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Leszek Pawelczyk
Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
Jędrzej M. Jaśkowski
Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
Hanna Piotrowska-Kempisty
Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-631 Poznan, Poland
Robert Z. Spaczyński
Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
Michał Nowicki
Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
Bartosz Kempisty
Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
The ovarian follicle is the basic functional unit of the ovary, comprising theca cells and granulosa cells (GCs). Two different types of GCs, mural GCs and cumulus cells (CCs), serve different functions during folliculogenesis. Mural GCs produce oestrogen during the follicular phase and progesterone after ovulation, while CCs surround the oocyte tightly and form the cumulus oophurus and corona radiata inner cell layer. CCs are also engaged in bi-directional metabolite exchange with the oocyte, as they form gap-junctions, which are crucial for both the oocyte’s proper maturation and GC proliferation. However, the function of both GCs and CCs is dependent on proper follicular angiogenesis. Aside from participating in complex molecular interplay with the oocyte, the ovarian follicular cells exhibit stem-like properties, characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Both GCs and CCs remain under the influence of various miRNAs, and some of them may contribute to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurrence. Considering increasing female fertility problems worldwide, it is of interest to develop new strategies enhancing assisted reproductive techniques. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider GCs as ovarian stem cells in terms of the cellular features and molecular pathways involved in their development and interactions as well as outline their possible application in translational medicine.