Contribution of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Objective: To explore the contribution of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells( BMSCs) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Methods: Twenty female rats were established as endometriosis model by transplanting endometrial tissue subcutaneously. Second passage BMSCs from male rats were labeled with PKH26. Ten female rats were transplanted with 1 ml 1×107PKH26 labeled BMSCs by injecting through tail vein. An equal number of rats were transplanted with 1 ml DMEN-F12 through tail vein as control. After six weeks,the migration of PKH26-labeled BMSCs in endometriosis was observed under fluorescence microscope,meanwhile,cytokeratin was labeled by immunofluorescence test. PCR was used to detect the specific marker of Y chromosome from male rats( SRY gene). Results: In experimental group,SRY-PCR and PKH26-label were found to be positive in endometriosis lesion. There were also cytokeratin expression in glandular epithelium. In control group,SRY-PCR and PKH26-label were found to be negative in endometriosis lesion. Conclusions: BMSCs can migrate to endometriosis lesion,some cells may differentiate into ectopic endometrial epithelial cells,and consequently play role in the onset of endometriosis.