title: In vitro differentiation of endometrial regenerative cells into smooth muscle cells: Α potential approach for the management of pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), is a common condition in parous women. Synthetic mesh was once considered to be the standard of care; however, the use of synthetic mesh is limited by severe complications, thus creating a need for novel approaches. The application of cell-based therapy with stem cells may be an ideal alternative, and specifically for vaginal prolapse. Abnormalities in vaginal smooth muscle (SM) play a role in the pathogenesis of POP, indicating that smooth muscle cells (SMCs) may be a potential therapeutic target. Endometrial regenerative cells (ERCs) are an easily accessible, readily available source of adult stem cells. In the present study, ERCs were obtained from human menstrual blood, and phase contrast microscopy and flow cytometry were performed to characterize the morphology and phenotype of the ERCs. SMC differentiation was induced by a transforming growth factor β1-based medium, and the induction conditions were optimized. We defined the SMC characteristics of the induced cells with regard to morphology and marker expression using transmission electron microscopy, western blot analysis, immunocytofluorescence and RT-PCR. Examining the expression of the components of the Smad pathway and phosphorylated Smad2 and Smad3 by western blot analysis, RT-PCR and quantitative PCR demonstrated that the 'TGFBR2/ALK5/Smad2 and Smad3' pathway is involved, and both Smad2 and Smad3 participated in SMC differentiation. Taken together, these findings indicate that ERCs may be a promising cell source for cellular therapy aimed at modulating SM function in the vagina wall and pelvic floor in order to treat POP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiuhui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xianchao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Dongzhe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Harbin Children's Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yanhua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Peiling
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Meimei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002469:Cell Separation; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D051785:Smad Proteins; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1