Jiali Min1, Na Lu2, Shengjian Huang3, Xiahua Chai1, Susu Wang1, Lin Peng4,5, Jian Wang1,2,3. 1. The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China. 2. Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC Xiangya, Changsha, China. 3. Hunan Guangxiu Hi-tech Life Technology Co., Ltd., Changsha, China. 4. National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cell, Changsha, China. 5. Guangxiu Hospital Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
Abstract
PROBLEM: Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is a uterine disorder with partial or total obstruction of the uterine cavity and/or the cervical canal primarily caused by intrauterine operations and infections. It is the most common cause of uterine infertility and recurrent abortion. However, the reasons for endometrium repair disorders in patients with IUA are still unclear. While increasing evidence demonstrates that endometrial mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (EMSCs) contribute to the regeneration and repair of endometrium, the roles of EMSCs in the pathogenesis of IUA have not been reported. METHODS AND STUDY: We investigated the differences of phenotype and biological characteristics between EMSCs from women with IUA and healthy women. Firstly, the fibrosis of endometrium were measured by immunohistochemistry and Masson staining. Second, we used immunofluorescence to detect the location of EMSCs in endometrial tissue, and the proportion of CD146+ CD140b+ in the two groups was compared by flow cytometry. Then, plate colony formation experiment, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, would-healing assay, and transwell invasion experiment were used to compare the cloning ability, proliferation, cell cycle, migration and invasion capabilities respectively. Finally, we compared the potential angiogenesis and immunosuppression capabilities. RESULTS: Our results showed that there were fewer CD146+ CD140b+ cells in patients with IUA, and the clone-forming, migration, invasion, angiogenic and immunosuppressive abilities of the EMSCs of patients with IUA were significantly decreased compared with those of healthy women. CONCLUSION: There are some differences between the EMSCs of IUA patients and healthy women, which may be related to the occurrence of IUA and dysfunction of endometrium.
PROBLEM: Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is a uterine disorder with partial or total obstruction of the uterine cavity and/or the cervical canal primarily caused by intrauterine operations and infections. It is the most common cause of uterine infertility and recurrent abortion. However, the reasons for endometrium repair disorders in patients with IUA are still unclear. While increasing evidence demonstrates that endometrial mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (EMSCs) contribute to the regeneration and repair of endometrium, the roles of EMSCs in the pathogenesis of IUA have not been reported. METHODS AND STUDY: We investigated the differences of phenotype and biological characteristics between EMSCs from women with IUA and healthy women. Firstly, the fibrosis of endometrium were measured by immunohistochemistry and Masson staining. Second, we used immunofluorescence to detect the location of EMSCs in endometrial tissue, and the proportion of CD146+ CD140b+ in the two groups was compared by flow cytometry. Then, plate colony formation experiment, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, would-healing assay, and transwell invasion experiment were used to compare the cloning ability, proliferation, cell cycle, migration and invasion capabilities respectively. Finally, we compared the potential angiogenesis and immunosuppression capabilities. RESULTS: Our results showed that there were fewer CD146+ CD140b+ cells in patients with IUA, and the clone-forming, migration, invasion, angiogenic and immunosuppressive abilities of the EMSCs of patients with IUA were significantly decreased compared with those of healthy women. CONCLUSION: There are some differences between the EMSCs of IUA patients and healthy women, which may be related to the occurrence of IUA and dysfunction of endometrium.