Ephrin B1 is expressed on human luteinizing granulosa cells in corpora lutea of the early luteal phase: The possible involvement of the B class Eph-ephrin system during corpus luteum formation

Ephrins and their Eph receptors are both membrane-bound proteins that function in various cell-cell recognition processes, such as morphogenesis and angiogenesis. In this study we examined the expression of B class ephrins-Ephs in the human ovary during corpus luteum formation, a process of tissue remodeling accompanied by angiogenesis. RT-PCR analysis detected mRNAs for Eph B1, B2, and B4 and ephrin B1 and B2, but not Eph B3 and B6 or ephrin B3, in human corpora lutea of the early luteal phase. By immunohistochemistry, ephrin B1 was moderately expressed on theca interna cells, but was expressed at a low level on granulosa cells in the preovulatory follicles. After ovulation, a rapid increase in ephrin B1 expression was observed on luteinizing granulosa cells, whereas its expression on luteinizing theca interna cells decreased. The mRNA expression of ephrin B1 in luteinizing granulosa cells was confirmed by Northern blotting. Flow cytometry showed that ephrin B1 was expressed on the surface of isolated luteinizing granulosa cells. Moreover, these cells had the ability to bind to recombinant Eph B2-Fc fusion protein. These findings suggest that ephrin B1-expressing granulosa cells can directly interact with Eph-bearing cells during corpus luteum formation in vivo, suggesting that Eph-ephrin system is involved in this process.