Hyaluronan and Collagen Are Prominent Extracellular Matrix Components in Bovine and Porcine Ovaries

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a major component of the ovarian stroma. Collagen and hyaluronan (HA) are critical ovarian stromal ECM molecules that undergo age-dependent changes in the mouse and human. How these matrix components are regulated and organized in other mammalian species with reproductive characteristics similar to women such as cows and pigs, has not been systematically investigated. Therefore, we performed histological, molecular, and biochemical analyses to characterize collagen and HA in these animals. Bovine ovaries had more collagen than porcine ovaries when assessed biochemically, and this was associated with species-specific differences in collagen gene transcripts: Col3a1 was predominant in cow ovaries while Col1a1 was predominant in pig ovaries. We also observed more HA in the porcine vs. bovine ovary. HA was distributed across three molecular weight ranges (<100 kDa, 100–300 kDa, and >300 kDa) in ovarian tissue and follicular fluid, with tissue having more >300 kDa HA than the other two ranges. Transcripts for HA synthesis and degradation enzymes, Has3 and Hyal2, respectively, were predominant in cow ovaries, whereas Has2, Kiaa1199, and Tmem2 tended to be predominant in pig ovaries. Together, our findings have implications for the composition, organization, and regulation of the ovarian ECM in large mammalian species, including humans.

Age-Related Alterations of Hyaluronan and Collagen in Extracellular Matrix of the Muscle Spindles

“…These results have confirmed the findings of another study demonstrating that older adults have thicker MS capsules [ 11 ]. Moreover, these findings are consistent with those of some studies that highlighted the role of the collagens in various diseases and tissues [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Parkes et al [ 21 ] reported the prominent role of collagen and HA in the ECM of ovaries, suggesting their crucial activity for ovarian homeostasis, possibly through signaling events or tissue micromechanism.…”

“…Moreover, these findings are consistent with those of some studies that highlighted the role of the collagens in various diseases and tissues [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Parkes et al [ 21 ] reported the prominent role of collagen and HA in the ECM of ovaries, suggesting their crucial activity for ovarian homeostasis, possibly through signaling events or tissue micromechanism. Numerous reports described the association between the single-nucleotide polymorphism rs12722 and rs13936 in the COL5A1 gene and injuries, such as Achilles tendon pathology, anterior cruciate ligament, and tennis elbow [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ].…”

“…The age-related decrease in HA could affect the mechanical properties of MSs, the background discharge, and the discharge in response to stretch, which may in turn affect age-related changes in MSs’ sensitivity to the stretch and tension of skeletal muscles. As has been demonstrated by other studies, HA has many roles in the different human tissues, ranging from mechanical to chemical [ 19 , 21 , 48 , 51 ].…”

“…Cell behavior is profoundly affected by the environment in which they live, thus the aging of the ECM is central to understanding age-related changes [ 17 ]. Nowadays, ECM’s role has been highlighted in different diseases and tissues [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

The Impact of Hyaluronan on Tumor Progression in Cutaneous Melanoma

“…Hyaluronan is a peculiar polysaccharide with broad functions. Hyaluronan is involved in many physiological processes such as embryogenesis (56), wound healing (57), ECM organization (58)(59)(60), lubricant in the articular cartilage and synovial fluid (61, 62), mammary gland morphogenesis (63) etc. Hyaluronan, composed of cytosolic UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) and UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcUA) precursors, is produced as a linear chain at the plasma membrane by hyaluronan synthases (HAS1-3), which are glycosyltransferases (64,65).…”