Endometrial stem cell research

The human endometrium (the lining of the uterus) is a highly regenerative tissue. Its ability to regrow following menstruation, childbirth and following hormone therapy to post menopausal women suggests stem, or progenitor cells are responsible for this regenerative capacity.While little is known about the physiological mechanisms responsible for this remarkable process, it is likely rare populations of adult stem cells are responsible.

Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found in tissues or organs throughout the body. They differ from embryonic stem cells in that they renew themselves and can differentiate to become one of the major types of cells in the tissue or organ in which they are found. As there are only a small number of adult stem cells found in each tissue, they are rare, but valuable for continued research into a range of diseases.

Adult stem cells are identified by four key properties:

• Clonogenicity – ability of a single cell to grow clones of cells  
• Self-renewal – cells’ ability to replenish themselves
• Multi-lineage differentiation – the ability to produce one or more mature cell types
• High proliferative potential – the ability to undergo substantial growth and multiplication  

Up until now, scientists knew adult stem cells were present in the brain, bone marrow, intestine, skeletal muscle, skin and liver. But in a recent breakthrough, scientists from the Centre for Women’s Health Research discovered the human endometrium contains rare populations of epithelial stromal and mesenchymal cells which exhibit adult stem cell properties.  

Adult stem cells in any tissue are difficult to recognize and express few distinguishing characteristics, or markers, from other cells. However, our scientists have identified two specific markers that isolate the endometrial mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells and locate them near blood vessels. Our studies in mouse endometrium continue to provide further information about the location of endometrial stem/progenitor cells and the niche they occupy.  

Our current studies aim to further characterise endometrial stem cells in both mouse and human endometrium and examine their role in common, gynaecological diseases characterised by abnormal endometrial cell proliferation, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. We are also investigating the possibility of using endometrial mesenchymal stem/progenitors in a tissue engineering application for repair of pelvic floor prolapse.