International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jim Parker

E-Mail
Guest Editor

School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Interests: polycystic ovary syndrome; evolutionary origins; developmental origins; pathogenesis; microbiome; pathophysiology; epigenetics; nutritional biochemistry; pregnancy complications; lifestyle management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is clear from various strands of evidence that there are a number of new perspectives and challenges that have emerged in understanding the biological nature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is increasingly being viewed as an evolutionary mismatch disorder that arises following exposure to nutritional and environmental factors related to contemporary lifestyle. This is reflected in comprehensive international guidelines that recommend lifestyle interventions, such as diet and exercise, for all women diagnosed with PCOS. Over the past 20 years, many areas of PCOS research have undergone paradigm shifts that have changed the way we view the nature, impact, and progression of PCOS. There is now greater emphasis on the metabolic consequences of lifestyle on symptoms and disease progression, in addition to the endocrine and reproductive consequences. There is increased awareness of the risk of pregnancy complications (miscarriage, implantation failure, gestational diabetes, preterm labour, fetal growth restriction, and pre-eclampsia), and a paradigm shift in our understanding of the importance of endometrial pathophysiology (being investigated in the developing field of endometrial organoids). There is a new appreciation that the prevention of many of the consequences of PCOS is feasible, using lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences is inviting submissions on new perspectives and challenges in PCOS research in order to highlight innovations that can be of benefit in both clinical practice and research settings. This includes research on genetics, epigenetics, developmental origins of PCOS, endocrine disrupting chemicals, emerging models of the pathogenesis (including the role of the microbiome), increased molecular understanding of the pathophysiology (highlighting the central role of chronic systemic inflammation and insulin resistance), nutritional biochemistry, new terminology for PCOS, and lifestyle interventions. We welcome the submission of state-of-the-art and critical reviews, as well as original works related to the above research topics, or other areas that identify new perspectives and challenges in PCOS.

Dr. Jim Parker
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

polycystic ovary syndrome
evolutionary origins
developmental origins
pathogenesis
pathophysiology
microbiome
pregnancy complications
lifestyle

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 2438 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dysfunction of Human Estrogen Signaling as a Novel Molecular Signature of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

by Clémentine Marie, Alice Pierre, Anne Mayeur, Frank Giton, Raphael Corre, Michaël Grynberg, Joëlle Cohen-Tannoudji, Céline J. Guigon and Stéphanie Chauvin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 16689; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316689 - 24 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1429

Abstract

Estradiol (E2) is a major hormone-controlling folliculogenesis whose dysfunction may participate in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility. To determine whether both the concentration and action of E2 could be impaired in non-hyperandrogenic overweight PCOS women, we isolated granulosa cells (GCs) and follicular fluid (FF) from follicles of women undergoing ovarian stimulation (27 with PCOS, and 54 without PCOS). An analysis of the transcript abundance of 16 genes in GCs showed that androgen and progesterone receptor expressions were significantly increased in GCs of PCOS (by 2.7-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively), while those of the steroidogenic enzymes CYP11A1 and HSD3B2 were down-regulated (by 56% and 38%, respectively). Remarkably, treatment of GC cultures with E2 revealed its ineffectiveness in regulating the expression of several key endocrine genes (e.g., GREB1 or BCL2) in PCOS. Additionally, a comparison of the steroid concentrations (measured by GC/MS) in GCs with those in FF of matched follicles demonstrated that the significant decline in the E2 concentration (by 23%) in PCOS FF was not the result of the E2 biosynthesis reduction. Overall, our study provides novel hallmarks of PCOS by highlighting the ineffective E2 signaling in GCs as well as the dysregulation in the expression of genes involved in follicular growth, which may contribute to aberrant folliculogenesis in non-hyperandrogenic women with PCOS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges and Perspectives in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 902 KiB

Open AccessReview

Implantation and Decidualization in PCOS: Unraveling the Complexities of Pregnancy

by Satoko Matsuyama, Sarah Whiteside and Shu-Yun Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 1203; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021203 - 18 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1374

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, affecting 5–15% globally with a large proportion undiagnosed. This review explores the multifaceted nature of PCOS and its impact on pregnancy, including challenges in fertility due to hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance. Despite restoring ovulation pharmacologically, women with PCOS face lower pregnancy rates and higher risks of implantation failure and miscarriage. Our review focuses on the complexities of hormonal and metabolic imbalances that impair endometrial receptivity and decidualization in PCOS. Disrupted estrogen signaling, reduced integrity of endometrial epithelial tight junctions, and insulin resistance impair the window of endometrial receptivity. Furthermore, progesterone resistance adversely affects decidualization. Our review also examines the roles of various immune cells and inflammatory processes in the endometrium, contributing to the condition’s reproductive challenges. Lastly, we discuss the use of rodent models in understanding PCOS, particularly those induced by hormonal interventions, offering insights into the syndrome’s impact on pregnancy and potential treatments. This comprehensive review underscores the need for advanced understanding and treatment strategies to address the reproductive complications associated with PCOS, emphasizing its intricate interplay of hormonal, metabolic, and immune factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges and Perspectives in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

► Show Figures