Contact Information Cellular & Molecular Physiology Penn State University College of Medicine Office Phone: 717-531-3588 Fax: 717-531-7667 email: jkb117@psu.edu

Education

Research and Teaching Interests

My research interests focus on how the granulosa cells of the human ovarian follicle function to maintain a nurturing follicular environment prior to and at the time of ovulation.  My current research investigates granulosa cell function as it relates to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common causes of infertility in women.   Unlike the ovary of normal cycling women, the PCOS ovary is characterized by multiple follicles which are developmentally arrested and produce altered levels of steroids.  Using a unique cell culture system of primary and long-term cultures of human granulosa cells, I am interested in examining the steroidogenic potential of both mural and cumulus granulosa cells from normal and PCOS women, and also whether particular granulosa-derived factors (steroid and/or protein) are associated with follicular development, oocyte quality, and/or fertilization competence.  I am also interested in examining the underlying autocrine and paracrine mechanisms utilized by human cumulus and mural granulosa cells to regulate the expression of aromatase, the enzyme responsible for estrogen biosynthesis, throughout follicular development, ovulation, and luteinization.

Professional Awards and Achievements

           1997-  The Endocrine Society
           1999-  Women In Endocrinology
           2006-  Androgen Excess Society

           2002  Neena B. Schwartz Travel Award for Excellence in Basic Science Research, The Endocrine Society 84th Annual
                      Meeting
           2001  Travel Award, The Endocrine Society 83rd Annual Meeting
           2000  Year Book of Endocrinology, Wickenheisseret. al. 2000 featured
           1998  Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Selected Publications (Peer-reviewed):

1. Wickenheisser JK,Quinn PG, Nelson VL, Legro RS, Strauss JF, and McAllister JM.  2000 Differential activity of the cytochrome P450 17a-hydroxylase and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene promoters in normal and polycystic ovary syndrome theca cells.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab 85:2304-2311. PMID: 10852468

2. Wickenheisser JK, Strauss JF, and McAllister JM.  2002 Steroidogenic abnormalities in ovarian theca cells in polycystic ovary syndrome.  Curr Opin Endcr & Diab 9(6):486-491.

3. Wickenheisser JK, Nelson VL, McAllister JM. 2004 Increased cytochrome P450 17a-hydroxylase promoter function in theca cells isolated from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome involves nuclear factor-1. Mol Endocrinol 18(3): 588-605. PMID: 14684846

4. Wickenheisser JK, Nelson-DeGrave VL, McAllister JM. 2005 Dysregulation of cytochrome P450 17a-hydroxylase messenger RNA stability in theca cells isolated from women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90(3): 1720-1727. PMID: 15598676

5. Wickenheisser JK, Nelson-DeGrave VL, Hendricks KL, Lego RS, Strauss JF, McAllister JM. 2005 Retinoids differentially regulate androgen biosynthesis in ovarian theca cells isolated from normal cycling women and women with polycystic ovary syndrome.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 90(8): 4858-65.  PMID: 15914525

6. Wickenheisser JK, Nelson-DeGrave VL, McAllister JM  2006 Human ovarian theca cells in culture.  Trends in Endocrinol  Metabol, 17(2) 63-69. PMID: 16460956

7. Wickenheisser JK and McAllister JM. 2007 Ovarian Steroidogenic Abnormalities in PCOS.  In: The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.  Editor: Azziz R.  Springer Publishing, Norwell, MA. pp. 69-84.