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Plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator inhibitors in ovarian physiology

Yi-Xun Liu1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China. liuyx@ioz.ac.cn

Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library
|September 9, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The ovarian plasminogen activator (PA) system, regulated by plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), is crucial for ovulation and luteal regression. Understanding its interaction with local factors is key to ovarian function research.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Molecular endocrinology
  • Extracellular matrix biology

Background:

  • The plasminogen activator (PA) system, involving activators (PA) and inhibitors (PAI), regulates extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, a vital process in ovarian physiology.
  • Previous research has identified the roles of tissue-type PA (tPA) and urokinase-type PA (uPA), along with PAI-1, in specific ovarian events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the function and regulation of the PA system in the ovary.
  • To investigate the roles of tPA and uPA in follicular development, ovulation, and corpus luteum (CL) formation and regression.
  • To explore the interplay between the PA system and other local factors modulating ovarian function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies over the past 25 years on PA system function and regulation in the ovary.
  • Analysis of hormonal regulation of tPA and PAI-1 expression in preovulatory follicles.
  • Correlation of tPA and PAI-1 expression in the CL with progesterone production and luteal regression.
  • Examination of uPA's role in early follicular growth, CL formation, ECM degradation, and angiogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Hormone-induced tPA and PAI-1 expression in preovulatory follicles drives controlled proteolysis for follicle rupture.
  • Increased tPA and PAI-1 in the CL correlates with decreased progesterone and initiates luteal regression.
  • uPA is implicated in early follicular growth, cell proliferation, migration, ECM degradation, and angiogenesis during early CL formation.

Conclusions:

  • The PA system plays distinct roles in various ovarian processes, from follicular development to luteal regression.
  • Coordinated expression of tPA and PAI-1 is essential for ovulation and luteal regression.
  • uPA contributes to early follicular and CL development through ECM remodeling and angiogenesis.
  • Future research should focus on the complex interactions between the PA system and local paracrine/autocrine factors in the ovary.

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