title: Isolation and characterization of side population cells in the postpartum murine endometrium.
abstract: Endometrium is a highly active organ that is periodically remodeled during the life span. Previous studies have indicated the presence of an adult stem or progenitor cell population in this tissue. In this study, side population (SP) cells were isolated from the endometrium of postpartum murine uterus but not from the endometrium of a uterus undergoing a normal estrus cycle. Phenotype analysis showed that SP cells were negative for hematopoietic, endothelial, and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers, but they expressed stem cell antigen 1 (Sca-1) and c-kit at various degrees. Side population cell is a heterogeneous population of endometrial stem/progenitor cells that have colony-forming capacity. They were found to reside in quiescence in the stroma but not in the luminal epithelium. These data suggest that, like other tissues and organs, the murine endometrium also contains SP cells. Their specific role in the regeneration of the endometrium warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, Centre of Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Fei-Fei
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.lastname: Jing Xu
authors.forename: Yu-Gui
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Xiao-Qiao
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Yun-Dong
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Lian-Ming
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Jia-Yin
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000950:Antigens, Ly; C074650:Ly6a protein, mouse; D008565:Membrane Proteins