Using the GWAS database, we performed a two-sample bidirectional MR analysis to investigate the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and PCOS. The results showed that IL1A and OSM levels are positively associated with the development of PCOS while IL-7, IL15RA, and CXCL11 levels are negatively associated with the development of PCOS.
Interleukin-1α (IL1A) gene encodes a protein that is a pleiotropic cytokine participating in diverse immortal reactions and inflamatory procedures. IL1A is differentially expressed in human granulosa cells and cumulus cells, which also suggests that IL1A may affect the process of ovulation. IL1A is involved in the development of PCOS by affecting androgen levels and follicular development in the ovary. In addition, IL1A may also affect insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and the formation of chronic low-grade inflammation, which are important pathological processes in PCOS. IL1A may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of PCOS and is highly important for elucidating the pathophysiological mechanism, clinical diagnosis and treatment of PCOS. The role of IL1A in the pathogenesis of PCOS and the feasibility of treating PCOS by interfering with the IL1A signaling pathway should be further explored in subsequent studies. Additionally, monocytes and macrophages produce IL-1, a cytokine superfamily that includes IL-1 and IL-18, and IL-1α and IL-1β, which directly affect progesterone and estradiol production in granulosa cells (17).
It has been shown that the presence of polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 gene is associated with the development of PCOS, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and luteinizing hormone (LH)/FSH ratios in patients with PCOS, and common polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 gene are associated with the presence of PCOS and with the clinical parameters of women affected by this disease (18). It has been shown that both IL-1A and IL-6 levels are elevated in patients with PCOS. However, there was no correlation between IL-1A levels and IL-1A polymorphisms. Moreover, abnormalities in hormonal and biochemical markers may be associated with IL-6 gene polymorphisms, but not with IL-1A gene polymorphisms (19). A meta-analysis revealed that IL-1B and IL-1A polymorphisms affect PCOS susceptibility in Asians and Caucasians, respectively (20). However, the frequency of the IL-1a C (-889) T polymorphism in the Chinese population was not correlated with PCOS susceptibility (21).
Oncostatin M is a member of the IL-6 cytokine family of novel adipokines that stimulate JAK/STAT signaling and activate transcriptional pathways by binding to transmembrane receptors. Oncostatin M plays a role in a various biological processes, including adipogenesis/lipogenesis, hematopoiesis, osteogenesis, and inflammation. Moreover, Oncostatin M and its receptor are expressed in human oocytes and granulosa cells. In addition, oncostatin M has been reported to have a promotive influence on the number and growth of primordial gametocytes in the ovary (22). Oncostatin M supports and promotes the development of primordial follicles by stimulating the production of more growth factors. The increase in Oncostatin M signaling after injection of human chorionic gonadotropin and subsequent ovulation suggests an important role in ovulation. OSM levels were significantly lower in PCOS patients than in controls and were positively correlated with oocyte maturation and fertilization rates (23). The relationship between oncostatin M and polycystic ovary syndrome has been investigated in many studies. Bailey et al. (24) reported that operating system of the OSM induces adipocyte lipolysis through the p66Shc-ERK pathway and inhibits the inhibitory effect of insulin on lipolysis, and also induces phosphorylation of inhibitory IRS1 residues. Moreover, OSM promotes lipolysis in white adipocytes in vitro. However, our findings are not consistent with those of a previous case‒control study (25).
IL-7 is a cytokine that promotes the development and proliferation of T cells, which play an important role in the immune system (26). Previous studies have shown that the levels of IL-8 and IL-17 are unchanged; the levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are elevated; and the level of IL-7 is decreased in PCOS patients because of mutations in the PARgamma gene (27). Additionally, CXCL11, a novel chemokine associated with sex hormones in women with PCOS, recruits cells of the immune system to sites of infection or tissue damage and regulates the activation state of immune cells at various stages of the immune response. Systemic levels of chemokines may be a marker of immune activation in women with PCOS (28). Women with PCOS have increased levels of G-CSF and IL15 in serum and follicular fluid. Moreover, BMI was negatively correlated with serum and follicular fluids levels of G-CSF and IL15 in women with PCOS (29). Adipocyte dysfunction and macrophage accumulation can also lead to a concomitant influx of excessive proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (e.g., IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, nitric oxide, and TNFα) into the circulatory system, resulting in a state of systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, which can affect ovarian function (30). Interleukin 15 is negatively correlated with obesity indices, especially visceral fat. With the proven benefits of IL-15 in the storage of adipose tissue and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle, endurance exercise, even for short periods, may improve health (31). Body of evidence indicates that lifestyle improving should be the primary thread of healing for women with PCOS. A couple of studies have investigated the results of sports innovations on reproductive functioning, and have shown improvements in menstrual and/or ovulation rates after physical exercise. Enhancement of insulin sensitivity is as a mechanism for the restoration of reproductive function by sports activities(32). In contrast, both oxidative stress and inflammation are known increase LH-FSH ratios and subsequently induce hyperandrogenism (33).IL-15Ra is widely distributed in T cells, B cells, macrophages, the thymus and bone marrow stromal cells. The alpha chain of the interleukin-15 receptor has been functionally characterized, and there is a close link between IL-15RA and IL-2RA gene expression in cell culture and animal models.Moreover, a substantial body of literature exists that demonstrates the IL-15 endocrine axis decreasing adiposity in mice, but recent studies lack of support for the existence of a humanlike axis (34).
The consistency of fundamental scientists' outcomes with those of human genetic studies suggests that sIL- 15Rα is an important factor that affects body composition and glucagon sensitivity. The effect of IL-15 on adipose tissue reduction is unknown. Therefore, further studies of the complex IL-15/IL-15Rα axis are needed to ascertain whether this system can be utilized to regulate adiposity (35).In PCOS patients, androgen levels are elevated, progesterone levels are decreased, and the levels of CXCL10, IL-15, IL-18, IL-12A, and other cytokines that play an important role in maternal-fetal tolerance and maintenance during pregnancy are decreased. Moreover, impaired NK cell recruitment in PCOS patients may lead to aberrant cytokine levels (36).
Inflammatory factors and polycystic ovary syndrome are causally related, as suggested by our MR results, and sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of these findings. Our exploration has a few deficiencies. First,the GWAS data we used in this research was collected from a European population, and the symptoms of PCOS can be considered a spectrum, as they vary among ethnicities and individuals. Genetic variants that increase the susceptibility to PCOS varies by ethnicity. Are the results of this study congruent across populations in different regions remains to be demonstrated. A causal relationship between inflammatory factors and PCOS is uncertain according to the data analyses performed in this study. In our MR analysis, the number of cytokines was limited because of exclusion criteria and prior GWAS, we were unavailable to the analysis of all inflammatory cytokines.