Altered integrin αvβ3 and extracellular matrix-associated molecular profile in granulosa cells from women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder and a leading cause of infertility due to lack of ovulation in women of reproductive age. Despite the presence of numerous antral follicles, ovulation often fails to occur in women with PCOS. Interactions between granulosa cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a key role in regulating the follicular microenvironment. This study aimed to evaluate integrin αvβ3 and ECM-related molecules in granulosa cells from women with PCOS. The study included 18 women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Nine patients diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria formed the PCOS group, while nine women undergoing IVF due to male factor infertility served as controls. The immunoreactivity of integrin αvβ3, VEGF, FGF-1 and MMP-9 was evaluated using immunocytochemistry on cumulus granulosa cells obtained during oocyte retrieval. In addition, integrin αv and integrin β3 gene expression levels were analysed using quantitative qRT-PCR. Integrin αvβ3, VEGF and FGF-1 immunoreactivity were significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (p = 0.029, p < 0.001 and p = 0.010, respectively), whereas MMP-9 immunoreactivity did not differ between the groups (p = 0.167). qRT-PCR analysis revealed no difference in ITGAV and ITGB3 mRNA expression levels between the PCOS group and the control group. These findings suggest that altered immunoreactivity of integrin αvβ3 and ECM-associated molecules may be associated with changes in the follicular microenvironment in women with PCOS. This molecular profile may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying ovulatory dysfunction.