The elusive role of endometrial progenitor cells in immunoregulation and regenerative medicine: A brief review of current knowledge

• Published in: Revista medicală Română 2021-12, Vol.68 (S6), p.7-10
• Main Authors: Bohiltea, Roxana Elena, Georgescu, Tiberiu Augustin, Calinescu, Gina, Bacalbasa, Nicolae, Balescu, Irina, Gheorghe, Consuela-Madalina, Grigoriu, Corina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1220-5478; 2069-606X
• DOI: 10.37897/RMJ.2021.S6.1

The human endometrium is a highly regenerative organ undergoing over 400 cycles of shedding and regeneration over a woman’s lifetime. This massive regenerative capacity is thought to have a stem cell basis, with human endometrial stromal stem cells having already been extensively studied. Endometrial stem cells can be divided into three categories: endometrial epithelial stem/progenitor cells, CD140b+CD146+ or SUSD2+ endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs), and side population cells (SPs). Endometrial stem/progenitor cells in the menstruation blood are defined as menstrual stem cells (MenSCs). Due to their abundant sources, excellent proliferation rate, and self-transplantation capabilities, MenSCs are ideal candidates for cell-based therapy in regenerative medicine, inflammation, and immune-related diseases. In this manuscript we review the available literature and outline the characteristics of endometrial stem/progenitor cells, summarizing their roles in immunoregulation, regenerative medicine and endometriosis, through which we provide some novel therapeutic strategies for reproductive and cancerous diseases.