{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: Single-cell transcriptomic profiling unveils insights into ovarian fibrosis in obese mice. {Author}: Xiao B;Dai Z;Li Z;Xu D;Yin H;Yang F;Sun N; {Journal}: Biol Direct {Volume}: 19 {Issue}: 1 {Year}: 2024 Jul 2 {Factor}: 7.173 {DOI}: 10.1186/s13062-024-00496-9 {Abstract}: BACKGROUND: Adiposity profoundly impacts reproductive health in both humans and animals. However, the precise subpopulations contributing to infertility under obese conditions remain elusive.
RESULTS: In this study, we established an obese mouse model through an eighteen-week high-fat diet regimen in adult female mice. Employing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we constructed a comprehensive single-cell atlas of ovarian tissues from these mice to scrutinize the impact of obesity on the ovarian microenvironment. ScRNA-seq revealed notable alterations in the microenvironment of ovarian tissues in obese mice. Granulosa cells, stromal cells, T cells, and macrophages exhibited functional imbalances compared to the control group. We observed heightened interaction strength in the SPP1-CD44 pairing within lgfbp7+ granulosa cell subtypes and Il1bhigh monocyte subtypes in the ovarian tissues of obese mice. Moreover, the interaction strength between Il1bhigh monocyte subtypes and Pdgfrb+ stromal cell subtypes in the form of TNF - TNFrsf1α interaction was also enhanced subsequently to obesity, potentially contributing to ovarian fibrosis pathogenesis.
CONCLUSIONS: We propose a model wherein granulosa cells secrete SPP1 to activate monocytes, subsequently triggering TNF-α secretion by monocytes, thereby activating stromal cells and ultimately leading to the development of ovarian fibrosis. Intervening in this process may represent a promising avenue for improving clinical outcomes in fertility treatments for obese women.