title: Success after failure: the role of endometrial stem cells in recurrent miscarriage.
abstract: Endometrial stem-like cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and epithelial progenitor cells, are essential for cyclic regeneration of the endometrium following menstrual shedding. Emerging evidence indicates that endometrial MSCs (eMSCs) constitute a dynamic population of cells that enables the endometrium to adapt in response to a failed pregnancy. Recurrent miscarriage is associated with relative depletion of endometrial eMSCs, which not only curtails the intrinsic ability of the endometrium to adapt to reproductive failure but also compromises endometrial decidualization, an obligatory transformation process for embryo implantation. These novel findings should pave the way for more effective screening of women at risk of pregnancy failure before conception.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical SciencesWarwick Medical School, Coventry, UK Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage ResearchUniversity Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Emma S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: Warwick Systems Biology CentreUniversity of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Nigel P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical SciencesWarwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fishwick
authors.affiliation: Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage ResearchUniversity Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK Warwick Systems Biology CentreUniversity of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical SciencesWarwick Medical School, Coventry, UK Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage ResearchUniversity Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK J.J.Brosens@warwick.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Brosens
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*