Endometriosis and Stem Cell Trafficking.
Adult stem cells have a major role in endometrial physiology, remodeling, and repair, but they also have a critical role in the development and progression of endometriosis. Bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSCs) engraft eutopic endometrium and endometriotic lesions, showing stromal and epithelial fate. Nevertheless, circulating BMDSCs are in limited supply, and the presence of endometriosis depletes stem cells from the blood circulation, preventing their homing in the uterus. Furthermore, stem cells migrate from endometriotic lesion into the uterus, leading to a dysfunctional endometrium. Stem cell trafficking is a central feature of endometriosis. Understanding molecular mechanisms regulating cell mobility and engraftment in endometriosis may reveal new targets for treatment.
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Nicola
N
Pluchino
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA hugh.taylor@yale.edu.
Hugh S
HS
Taylor
D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000378:metabolism; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000378:metabolism
C515255:CXCL12 protein, human; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4
cell trafficking; endometriosis; endometrium; stem cells