Identification of perivascular and stromal mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in porcine endometrium

Abstract

Mammalian uterus contains a population of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells that likely contribute to endometrial regeneration during each reproductive cycle. In human and mouse, they reside in perivascular, epithelial and stromal compartments of the endometrial functionalis and basalis. Here, we aimed to identify tissue resident cells expressing mesenchymal stem cell markers CD29, CD44, CD90, CD105, CD140b and CD146 in the porcine endometrium. We used single immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Each of these markers was detected in small cells surrounding endometrial blood vessels. CD105 and CD146 were also expressed in single stromal cells. A few stromal and perivascular cells showed the presence of pluripotency marker Oct4 in the cytoplasm, but not in the nucleus, which may imply they are not truly pluripotent. Endometrial cell cultures were examined for the expression of CD29, CD44, CD90, CD105 and CD140b proteins and tested in wound-healing assay and culture model of chemotaxis. In conclusion, our results demonstrate perivascular location of prospective mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in the porcine endometrium and may suggest that stromal CD105 and CD146 cells represent more mature precursors originating from their perivascular ancestors.

Regenerative Potential of Menstrual Blood-Derived Stem Cells and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor in Endometrial Injury

“…Endometrial stem cells (EnSCs) are identified in both the functional and basal layer of regenerative human endometrium [15,16], which can be used for the reconstruction of the human uterus and other organs [17,18]. They can be easily obtained from menstrual blood shedding without invasive surgical intervention or hospitalization, and the isolation is free of ethical concerns [12,19].…”

Using 17β‐estradiol heparin‐poloxamer thermosensitive hydrogel to enhance the endometrial regeneration and functional recovery of intrauterine adhesions in a rat model

“…34 These stem cells make great contribution to the regeneration of endometrium after menstruation and injury to uterus. 34,35 This leads us to think about whether the effect of E 2 -HP hydrogel in endometrial cell regeneration is associated with the recruitment of stem cells in endometrium. Our future studies will focus on its role in the recruitment of stem cells, the improvement of local inflammation and specific mechanism underlying these processes.…”

“…Moreover, many recent studies have demonstrated that there are small populations of endometrial stem cells existing in the endometrium . These stem cells make great contribution to the regeneration of endometrium after menstruation and injury to uterus . This leads us to think about whether the effect of E 2 ‐HP hydrogel in endometrial cell regeneration is associated with the recruitment of stem cells in endometrium.…”

Human menstrual blood: a renewable and sustainable source of stem cells for regenerative medicine

“…OCT-4A is a transcription factor in the nucleus that maintains the differential potency of embryonic and adult stem cells, whereas cytoplasmic expressed OCT-4B is not involved in stem cell regulation [ 31 ]. The cytoplasmic localization of OCT-4 detected in MenSCs therefore led to doubts about the pluripotency of MenSCs [ 6 , 28 , 32 ]. However, a recent investigation of mouse endometrium revealed the presence of very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), which expressed nuclear transcripts of OCT-4, accounting for approximately 0.069% of the total endometrial cells.…”