Anti-IL-11 treatment improves ovarian function by reducing matrix stiffness

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Ovarian ageing occurs not only with increasing age but also in conditions such as ovarian endometriosis, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS), contributing to infertility and affecting overall health and lifespan. The mechanical properties of the ovarian microenvironment are a key regulator of ovarian function and follicle development. A new study in Nature Aging demonstrates that ovarian matrix stiffness increases with ageing and identifies IL-11 as an essential driver of this process.

Researchers collected human ovaries from 107 volunteers undergoing a hysterectomy or oophorectomy. The ovaries were classified as either reproductively young (18–28 years), middle-aged (35–42 years) or older (47–52 years). A total of 46 ovarian tissue samples were also collected from individuals of reproductive age (30–40 years) with conditions causing ovarian dysfunction, such as POI, PMOS and ovarian endometriosis. There was a statistically significant increase in matrix stiffness in ovarian tissue samples with older age, as well as with POI, PMOS and endometriosis.