Stromal-to-epithelial transition during postpartum endometrial regeneration

PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e44285. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044285. Epub 2012 Aug 27.

Abstract

Endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus which is composed of epithelial and stromal tissue compartments enclosed by the two smooth muscle layers of the myometrium. In women, much of the endometrium is shed and regenerated each month during the menstrual cycle. Endometrial regeneration also occurs after parturition. The cellular mechanisms that regulate endometrial regeneration are still poorly understood. Using genetic fate-mapping in the mouse, we found that the epithelial compartment of the endometrium maintains its epithelial identity during the estrous cycle and postpartum regeneration. However, whereas the stromal compartment maintains its identity during homeostatic cycling, after parturition a subset of stromal cells differentiates into epithelium that is subsequently maintained. These findings identify potential progenitor cells within the endometrial stromal compartment that produce long-term epithelial tissue during postpartum endometrial regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Endometrium / cytology*
  • Endometrium / physiology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Homeostasis
  • Mice
  • Mice, 129 Strain
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Postpartum Period*
  • Receptors, Peptide / genetics
  • Receptors, Peptide / metabolism
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Regeneration*
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / physiology*
  • beta-Galactosidase / biosynthesis
  • beta-Galactosidase / genetics

Substances

  • Receptors, Peptide
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • anti-Mullerian hormone receptor
  • beta-Galactosidase