Human menstrual blood-derived stem cells promote the repair of impaired endometrial stromal cells by activating the p38 MAPK and AKT signaling pathways

Haiyan Zhu, Yinshen Jiang, Yibin Pan, Libing Shi, Songying Zhang
Reproductive biology · 2018 · vol. 18(3) , pp. 274–281 · doi:10.1016/j.repbio.2018.06.003 · PMID:29941287 · W2809871020
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Menstrual blood-derived stem cells enhanced endometrial stromal cell repair by activating p38 MAPK and AKT signaling pathways.

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Abstract

Multiple studies have confirmed that human menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) have potential applications in regenerative medicine or cell therapy. However, the contribution of MenSCs to endometrial repair is currently unknown. We evaluated the protective effects of MenSCs on impaired endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), as well as the signaling pathways involved in this process. Mifepristone was used to damage human ESCs, which were subsequently cocultured with MenSCs. The proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of ESCs were assessed, together with the expression of related signaling proteins including total p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, P-p38, total protein kinase B (AKT), P-AKT, β-catenin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). MenSCs significantly recovered the proliferation and migration ability of impaired ESCs, inhibited ESC apoptosis, and upregulated protein expression of P-AKT, P-p38, VEGF, and β-catenin. Our findings suggest that MenSC-based therapies could be promising strategies for the treatment of endometrial injury, and that AKT and p38 signaling pathways may be involved in this process.

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MeSH descriptors

Endometrium Menstruation Mesenchymal Stem Cells p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt Signal Transduction Stromal Cells Apoptosis Apoptosis Cell Movement Cell Movement Cell Proliferation Cell Proliferation Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Menstruation Mesenchymal Stem Cells p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

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