Stem Cell and Endometriosis

The pathogenesis of endometriosis (EMs) remains unclear. There are several theories such as Sampon's Implantation Theory, Metaplasia Theory and Immune Theory. Focusing on the researches on stem cells (SCs), several studies have proved that there are stem/progenitor cells in endometrium which induce the periodic regeneration of endometrium. The implication of the endometrial stem cell hypothesis is that endometriosis origins from the SCs, and is a stem cell-related disease. Stem cells, derived from embryonic remnants or bone marrow, pro- vide the Seeds while retrograde menstrual reflux and the microenvironment provide the Soil. Once the seeds meet the soil, EMs will occure. This hypothesis uncovered a new era of the pathogenesis and clinical research on EMs.