{
  "abstract": "Research question: Can ANPEP-based magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) be used to isolate and functionally enrich human steroidogenic theca interna cells from small antral follicle membranes?\n\nMethods: This experimental study used ovarian tissue from eight women (mean age 33.7 years) undergoing fertility preservation. Membranes from small antral follicles (2–9 mm) were enzymatically digested and cultured for 48 h. A mixed cell sample was obtained before MACS separation into ANPEP-positive and ANPEP-negative cell fractions, followed by an additional 48-h culture. Cell purity and viability were assessed by flow cytometry (FACS) using ANPEP and FSHR antibodies. Gene expression (ANPEP, CYP17A1, LHCGR, FSHR, CYP19A1) was analyzed by RT-qPCR. Steroid secretion (pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-OH-pregnenolone, 17-OH-progesterone, DHEA, androstenedione) was quantified using LC–MS/MS.\n\nResults: Before cell sorting, 29.6–82.9% of viable cells expressed ANPEP. After MACS, ~ 68% of cells in the ANPEP-positive fraction expressed ANPEP, compared with ~ 3% in the negative fraction (P < 0.05). CYP17A1 expression was higher in pre-MACS and ANPEP-positive populations than in the negative fraction. ANPEP-positive cells secreted androgen precursors (17-OH-pregnenolone, 17-OH-progesterone, DHEA, androstenedione), whereas the negative fraction produced relatively more progesterone, consistent with theca cell enrichment.\n\nConclusions: ANPEP-based MACS enables enrichment of viable, steroidogenic human theca interna cells. The ANPEP-positive fraction exhibits molecular and functional characteristics consistent with theca lineage and provides a useful model for studying ovarian steroidogenesis.\n\nSupplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-026-03983-2.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark",
    "Drug Toxicology, Metabolism and Analysis Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark",
    "The Fertility Clinic, Department of Gynaecology, Fertility and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark",
    "Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lea Bejstrup Jensen",
      "orcid": "0009-0001-3231-435X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Malene Louise Johannsen",
      "orcid": "0009-0003-4552-3147"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Jane Alrø Bøtkjær"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Anna Ronnefeld Veng"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Kirsten Tryde Macklon"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Anette Tønnes Pedersen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Bjarne Styrishave"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Stine Gry Kristensen"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7k1pxq0ma9s9e.bib",
  "cited_by": 1,
  "doi": "10.1007/s10815-026-03983-2",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13731582/",
  "id": "7k1pxq0ma9s9e",
  "issns": [
    "1058-0468",
    "1573-7330"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-026-03983-2",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2743|Reproductive Biology and Fertility"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7170162011",
  "pdf_url": "https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10815-026-03983-2.pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13731582",
  "pmid": "42489828",
  "published": "2026-07-23",
  "publisher": "Springer",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7k1pxq0ma9s9e.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-08T12:21:45Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13731582",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-026-03983-2"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2743|Reproductive Biology and Fertility",
      "subfield": "reproductive-child"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Isolation of theca cells from human antral follicle membranes using ANPEP-based magnetic cell sorting",
  "title_text": "Isolation of theca cells from human antral follicle membranes using ANPEP-based magnetic cell sorting",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T12:21:45Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7k1pxq0ma9s9e",
  "venue": "Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics",
  "versions": []
}