Open Access

In vitro differentiation of endometrial regenerative cells into smooth muscle cells: Α potential approach for the management of pelvic organ prolapse

  • Authors:
    • Xiuhui Chen
    • Xianchao Kong
    • Dongzhe Liu
    • Peng Gao
    • Yanhua Zhang
    • Peiling Li
    • Meimei Liu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 17, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2593
  • Pages: 95-104
  • Copyright: © Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), is a common condition in parous women. Synthetic mesh was once considered to be the standard of care; however, the use of synthetic mesh is limited by severe complications, thus creating a need for novel approaches. The application of cell-based therapy with stem cells may be an ideal alternative, and specifically for vaginal prolapse. Abnormalities in vaginal smooth muscle (SM) play a role in the pathogenesis of POP, indicating that smooth muscle cells (SMCs) may be a potential therapeutic target. Endometrial regenerative cells (ERCs) are an easily accessible, readily available source of adult stem cells. In the present study, ERCs were obtained from human menstrual blood, and phase contrast microscopy and flow cytometry were performed to characterize the morphology and phenotype of the ERCs. SMC differentiation was induced by a transforming growth factor β1-based medium, and the induction conditions were optimized. We defined the SMC characteristics of the induced cells with regard to morphology and marker expression using transmission electron microscopy, western blot analysis, immunocytofluorescence and RT-PCR. Examining the expression of the components of the Smad pathway and phosphorylated Smad2 and Smad3 by western blot analysis, RT-PCR and quantitative PCR demonstrated that the ‘TGFBR2/ALK5/Smad2 and Smad3’ pathway is involved, and both Smad2 and Smad3 participated in SMC differentiation. Taken together, these findings indicate that ERCs may be a promising cell source for cellular therapy aimed at modulating SM function in the vagina wall and pelvic floor in order to treat POP.
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July-2016
Volume 38 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Chen X, Kong X, Liu D, Gao P, Zhang Y, Li P and Liu M: In vitro differentiation of endometrial regenerative cells into smooth muscle cells: Α potential approach for the management of pelvic organ prolapse. Int J Mol Med 38: 95-104, 2016.
APA
Chen, X., Kong, X., Liu, D., Gao, P., Zhang, Y., Li, P., & Liu, M. (2016). In vitro differentiation of endometrial regenerative cells into smooth muscle cells: Α potential approach for the management of pelvic organ prolapse. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 38, 95-104. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2593
MLA
Chen, X., Kong, X., Liu, D., Gao, P., Zhang, Y., Li, P., Liu, M."In vitro differentiation of endometrial regenerative cells into smooth muscle cells: Α potential approach for the management of pelvic organ prolapse". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 38.1 (2016): 95-104.
Chicago
Chen, X., Kong, X., Liu, D., Gao, P., Zhang, Y., Li, P., Liu, M."In vitro differentiation of endometrial regenerative cells into smooth muscle cells: Α potential approach for the management of pelvic organ prolapse". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 38, no. 1 (2016): 95-104. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2593