TGF-β1 controls porcine granulosa cell states: A miRNA-mRNA network view

TGF-beta 1, an important multi-functional cytokine of the TGF-beta signaling pathway, has been reported to be crucial for ovarian granulosa cell (GC) states and female fertility. However, the molecular mechanism underlying TGF-beta 1 regulation of GC states remains largely unknown. Here, we provide a comprehensive transcriptomic view on TGF-beta 1 regulation of cell states in porcine GCs. We first confirmed that TGF-beta 1 can control GC states (apoptosis and proliferation) in pig ovary. RNA-seq showed that 909 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 890 DEmRNAs and 19 DEmiRNAs, were identified in TGF-beta 1-treated porcine GCs. Functional annotation showed that these DEGs were mainly involved in regulating cell states. In addition, multiple hub genes were identified by constructing the protein-protein interaction network, DEmiRNA-DEmRNAs regulatory network, and gene-pathway-function co-expression networks, which were further found to be enriched in FoxO, TGF-beta, Wnt, PIK3-Akt, p53 and Ras signaling pathways that play important roles in regulating cell states, cell cycle, proliferation, stress-responses and inflammation. The current research deeply reveals the effects of TGF-beta 1 on porcine GCs, and also identifies potential therapeutic RNA molecules for inhibiting and rescuing female infertility. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study revealed the regulatory mechanism of TGF-beta 1 on porcine granulosa cell states, identified multiple signaling pathways regulating cell states, and potential therapeutic RNA molecules.