P-606 Androgen receptor splice variant lead to PCOS with insulin resistance via IRS1/AKT signaling pathway in mice
Authors: Cheng L , Xu J.J , Shi C.Y , Wu Y.T , Huang H.F 
Published: June 2022

Study question

How does the androgen receptor splice variant (ARSV) contribute to insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients?

Summary answer

ARSV inhibited the intracellular signaling pathway of insulin, resulting in decreased glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) translocation, impaired cellular glucose uptake, and insulin resistance.

What is known already

PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age and characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulation dysfunction, and ovarian polycystic changes. In addition, a significant proportion of PCOS patients will experience insulin resistance. Our previous study identified an ARSV in granulosa cells from PCOS patients, which may be associated with higher insulin levels in follicular fluid.

Study design, size, duration

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Participants/materials, setting, methods

Glucose metabolism of a mouse model presenting ARSV by CRISPR-Cas9 was measured by glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test. Body composition was measured by a nuclear magnetic resonance system. KGN cell lines stably overexpressing wild type androgen receptor (AR group) or ARSV (ARSV group) were successfully constructed by lentivirus infection. The process of glucose uptake by GLUT4, and the expression of target genes in the glucose uptake pathway were detected in cells.

Main results and the role of chance

The mice expressing ARSV had higher body weight and body fat content than the wild type mice, while the muscle content was equivalent.ARSV mice displayed diabetes with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance at 48 week-age. The levels of fasting glucose and insulin levels were significantly higher in ARSV mice. The basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake capacity were also found impaired in ARSV group. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that under insulin stimulation, GLUT4 protein was less expressed in the membrane and more expressed in the cytoplasm in ARSV group. Similar results were obtained by detecting the expression of GLUT4 protein after separating the cell membrane and cytoplasmic proteins. Further detection of the upstream signaling molecules of GLUT4 revealed that the phosphorylation levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) at Ser1101 were slightly increased in ARSV group, after stimulation with insulin and DHT. Besides, the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (AKT) were also found significantly decreased at Thr308 and slightly decreased at Ser473 in ARSV group. ARSV inhibited the intracellular signaling pathway of insulin by altering the phosphorylation level of IRS1/AKT signaling, resulting in decreased GLUT4 translocation, impaired cellular glucose uptake, and insulin resistance.

Limitations, reasons for caution

In this study, we failed to obtain clinical samples of PCOS to prospectively verify the association between ARSV and glucose uptake, insulin resistance, and subsequent onset diabetes.

Wider implications of the findings

This transgenic animal model can simulate the reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of PCOS patients, providing a model for future PCOS research. PCOS patients with ARSV should delay the onset of insulin resistance through lifestyle intervention, exercise, and drug therapy as early as possible.

Trial registration number

NA