"Rola endometrium w funkcjonowaniu ludzkiej macicy w warunkach prawidłowych i patologicznych"

Endometrium of human uterus is in many respects a unique tissue which, through its remarkable ability to regenerate, provides many opportunities for modern science. Normally endometrium is subject to recurrent changes during the menstrual cycle. These changes are meant to prepare the appropriate conditions in the uterus for a proper implantation of embryo. They are also meant to oversee this crucial process of procreation. Endometriosis is the most common pathology of endometrium. This disease belongs to the group of “diseases of civilisation” but its pathogenesis still remains unexplained. Extensive studies of this disease may help to explain mechanisms behind it and may also facilitate the correct diagnosis and treatment. Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynaecological cancer that affects women around the world. Studies are currently underway to clarify the role of adhesion molecules and mitochondrial DNA mutations in formation of this type of cancer. This work is a brief overview of the latest reports on the functioning of the human uterine endometrium in normal condition (the menstrual cycle) and during fulfilling its key role in the process of implantation. The most frequent pathologies of endometrium tissue, that is endometriosis and endometrial carcinoma, will also be discussed here. In order to emphasise the uniqueness and the potential of endometrium the latest reports on origin of endometrial regenerative cells (ERC), will be briefly presented. They may represent the future for autological stem cells treatment.