Cumulus cells of euploid versus whole chromosome 21 aneuploid embryos reveal differentially expressed genes

Abstract

Research Question: Can cumulus cells be employed as a non-invasive target for the study of determinants of preimplantation embryo quality? Design: Cumulus cells were collected from Monosomy 21, Trisomy 21 and Euploid embryos and subjected to RNA sequencing analysis and Real Time PCR assays. The differential gene expression was analyzed for different comparisons. Result(s): A total of 3122 genes in Monosomy 21 CCs, and 19 genes in Trisomy 21 CCs were differentially expressed compared to euploid CCs. Thirteen of these genes were differentially expressed in both Monosomy and Trisomy 21, compared to euploid, including disheveled segment polarity protein 2 (DVL2), cellular communication network factor 1 (CCN1/CYR61) and serum response factor (SRF), which have been previously implicated in embryo developmental competence. In addition, IPA analysis revealed cell-cell contact function to be affected in both Monosomy and Trisomy 21 CCs. Conclusions: These findings support the use of CC gene expression analysis for the development of biomarkers evaluating oocyte quality for patients undergoing fertility preservation of oocytes.

Contribution of immunology to build precision medicine in reproduction: present and future

“…They interact directly with the oocyte to facilitate its maturation and are bathed in the same FF. Some studies identified differences regarding few markers of oxidative stress [61] or gene expression between euploid and aneuploid oocytes [62]. FF is also collected during oocyte retrieval.…”