Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42144654›Full record

ArticleStem cell research & therapy2026

hAECs restore follicular development in premature ovarian insufficiency via IGFBP2/IGF1R-mediated intercellular communication.

Wenjiao Cao, Lu Shen, Qinyu Zhang, Yating Huang, Junyan Sun, Zixin Cheng, Jing Xu, Qiuwan Zhang, Dongmei Lai

Abstract read
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Article in Stem cell research & therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Wenjiao Cao *International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Lu Shen *Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Qinyu ZhangInternational Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Yating HuangInternational Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Junyan SunInternational Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Zixin ChengInternational Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Jing XuSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Qiuwan ZhangInternational Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China. zhangqiuwan@163.com.
Dongmei LaiInternational Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China. laidongmei@hotmail.com.

Funding

Medical Science and Technology Talents Support Project of IPMCH Honghu Plan-HHJH2409National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 82271664Opening Project of Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases Shelab2022ZD01Opening Project of Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases Shelab202305Research Projects of Shanghai Municipal Council for Science and Technology 20JC1412100Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Cell Therapy, China No. 23J41900100
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPremature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is defined by ovarian dysfunction and consequent decreased fertility. While follicular depletion is an acknowledged factor, dynamic changes in follicular subpopulations and single-cell-level niche remodeling remains largely unexplored. Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) represent a promising regenerative approach for restoring ovarian function; however, the underlying mechanism in promoting follicular development remains unclear.

methodsWe established a chemotherapy-induced POI mouse model and conducted single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to systematically characterize ovarian cellular heterogeneity, residual follicular development, and ovarian microenvironmental alteration. A human-derived cell projection model was established to track the distribution of transplanted hAECs. Furthermore, the functional role of IGF1R signaling in granulosa cells was validated using both in vitro culture assays and in vivo interventions.

resultsWe identified eight distinct ovarian cell types and uncovered stage-specific injury patterns: acute chemotherapy exposure induced massive loss of granulosa cells and oocytes, while the chronic phase was characterized by fibrotic accumulation and immune infiltration. Furthermore, residual follicles exhibited aberrant development trajectories and compromised progression, primarily due to disrupted granulosa cells -oocytes communication. Notably, hAEC transplantation significantly enhanced follicle survival, partially attenuated fibrosis and promoted ovarian structural restoration. Mechanistically, hAECs-derived IGFBP2 regulated IGF1R expression in granulosa cells, thereby reactivating the Akt/FoxO3A signaling pathway and downregulating the senescence marker P21.

conclusionsThis study presents a time-resolved snRNA-seq atlas capturing both acute and chronic injury phases in a chemotherapy-induced POI model, combined with a human-mouse projection approach to track transplanted hAECs in damaged ovaries. Our study establishes a novel cell-based therapeutic strategy for partial ovarian functional recovery, in which hAEC-derived IGFBP2 restores granulosa cell function and intercellular communication by regulating the IGF1R/Akt/mTOR signaling axis.

Indexed as

AmnionCell CommunicationEpithelial CellsInsulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2Ovarian FolliclePrimary Ovarian InsufficiencyReceptor, IGF Type 1AnimalsDisease Models, AnimalFemaleGranulosa CellsHumansMiceSignal TransductionIGF1R protein, humanIgf1r protein, mouseIGFBP2 protein, humanInsulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2Receptor, IGF Type 1Granulosa cellsHuman amniotic epithelial cellsIGF1R signalingPremature ovarian insufficiencySingle-nucleus RNA sequencing

Identifiers

PMID42144654
PMCPMC13352713

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.