视黄醇结合蛋白-4（RBP-4）是一种低分子量的载脂蛋白，其主要作用是结合和转运维生素 A。近年来国内外文献报道了RBP-4在繁殖过程中某些方面的作用，如促进子宫生长和胚胎发育。本课题组曾在国际上首次报道了猪囊肿卵泡液中含有高浓度的RBP-4，还发现猪卵泡颗粒细胞上表达RBP-4及其受体，体外培养的猪颗粒细胞可以分泌产生RBP-4。然而，RBP-4对卵泡发育的作用尚不清楚，对卵泡颗粒细胞的调节尚无报道。因此，本项目通过基因芯片、siRNA、细胞转染等技术，研究RBP-4在猪卵泡颗粒细胞增殖中的作用、下游基因、信号转导机制，为阐明RBP-4在母猪卵泡发育中的作用提供理论依据，期望为母猪卵泡囊肿的治疗提供新的靶点。

Retinol-Binding Protein 4 (RBP-4) is a low molecular weight lipocalin, which mainly functions as a carrier for vitamin A. Recent evidences have shown that RBP-4 plays important roles in animal reproduction, for example, increasing the development of uterus and embryo. Our laboratory firstly reported that high level of RBP-4 existed in follicular fluid from follicular cysts in sows. RBP-4 could be secreted by granulosa cells, and RBP-4 receptor was detected in granulosa cells. However, there is no any evidence on the regulation of RBP-4 in follicular granulosa cells. Techniques of gene chip, siRNA, cell transfection, etc. will be used to study the regulating roles of RBP-4 on proliferation of granulosa cells; and to study the genes and signal transduction in granulose cells regulated by RBP-4 from different aspects. The project will provide new theoretical evidences for the role of RBP-4 in the development of ovarian follicle, and further provide potentially therapeutic targets for follicular cysts of sows.