Current Advances in Understanding Endometrial Epithelial Cell Biology and Therapeutic Applications for Intrauterine Adhesion

Overview

Journal Stem Cell Res Ther

Publisher Biomed Central

Date 2024 Oct 26

PMID 39456113

Authors

Jia Wang

Hong Zhan

Yinfeng Wang

Li Zhao

Yunke Huang

Ruijin Wu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The human endometrium is a highly regenerative tissue capable of undergoing scarless repair during the menstruation and postpartum phases. This process is mediated by endometrial adult stem/progenitor cells. During the healing of endometrial injuries, swift reepithelization results in the rapid covering of the wound surface and facilitates subsequent endometrial restoration. The involvement of endogenous endometrial epithelial stem cells, stromal cells, and bone marrow-derived cells in the regeneration of the endometrial epithelium has been a subject of prolonged debate. Increasing evidence suggests that the regeneration of the endometrial epithelium mainly relies on epithelial stem cells rather than stromal cells and bone marrow-derived cells. Currently, no consensus has been established on the identity of epithelial stem cells in the epithelial compartment. Several markers, including stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1), sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9), neural-cadherin (N-cadherin), leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), CD44, axis inhibition protein 2 (Axin2), and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1), have been suggested as potential candidate markers for endometrial epithelial stem cells. The identification of endometrial epithelial stem cells contributes to our understanding of endometrial regeneration and offers new therapeutic insights into diseases characterized by regenerative defects in the endometrium, such as intrauterine adhesion. This review explores different perspectives on the origins of human and mouse endometrial epithelial cells. It summarizes the potential markers, locations, and hierarchies of epithelial stem cells in both human and mouse endometrium. It also discusses epithelial cell-based treatments for intrauterine adhesion, hoping to inspire further research and clinical application of endometrial epithelial stem cells.

Citing Articles

Retrospective analysis of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as adjuvant therapy in recurrent intrauterine adhesions.

Wang Y, Yin L, Sun X, Yang Q, Yu Y, Rong Y Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2025; .

PMID: 39918733 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-025-07952-5.

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