Endometriosis and Stem Cell Trafficking

Nicola Pluchino, Hugh S. Taylor
Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) · 2016 · vol. 23(12) , pp. 1616–1619 · doi:10.1177/1933719116671219 · PMID:27821558 · W2527825845
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06+body, 2026-06-12 ⓘ

Adult stem cells are crucial for endometrial repair but also contribute to endometriosis, with bone marrow-derived stem cells engrafting lesions and depleting circulation, leading to stem cell migration and uterine dysfunction.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 · read from full text ⓘ

The paper reviews how adult bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSCs) influence endometriosis by engrafting both eutopic endometrium and endometriotic lesions and differentiating into stromal and epithelial lineages, but notes that circulating BMDSCs are limited and that endometriosis reduces their availability for uterine homing. It also describes stem cell trafficking from endometriotic lesions into the uterus, where this migration is linked to a dysfunctional endometrium. A stated caveat is that the discussion is conceptual and mechanistic, emphasizing molecular regulation of cell mobility and engraftment rather than presenting new experimental results in this article. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically, it focuses on stem cell trafficking mechanisms involving BMDSC recruitment, depletion, and migration that contribute to endometriosis and endometrial dysfunction.

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Abstract

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.
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Abstract

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. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Endometriosis and infertility: a review of the pathogenesis and treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2012;39(4):535–549. Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Pluchino, N., Taylor, H.S. Endometriosis and Stem Cell Trafficking. Reprod. Sci. 23, 1616–1619 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719116671219 Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719116671219

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Adult Stem Cells Endometriosis Endometrium Mesenchymal Stem Cells Adult Stem Cells Adult Stem Cells Animals Cell Movement Chemokine CXCL12 Chemokine CXCL12 Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mice Receptors, CXCR4

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