Identification of cryosensitive niches and a targetable FOS/AP‑1 program in the human ovarian cortex by single‑cell and spatial transcriptomics - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #fertility preservation
- #FOS/AP-1 pathway
- #single-cell RNA-seq
- Study identifies cryosensitive niches in the human ovarian cortex using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.
- Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is crucial for female fertility preservation, but cryoinjury mechanisms are poorly understood.
- Single-cell RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics revealed that stromal and perivascular cells are most vulnerable to cryopreservation damage.
- Cryopreservation disrupts pathways related to focal adhesion, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, particularly in stromal and perivascular cells.
- The FOS/AP-1 pathway is significantly activated post-cryopreservation, suggesting metabolic impairment.
- Oocyte analysis showed disrupted cell cycle and meiosis pathways, though damage was not irreversible.
- Treatment with FOS/AP-1 inhibitor T-5224 improved morphology and function of frozen-thawed ovaries.
- Ethical approval was obtained, and all participants provided informed consent.