Changes in expression pattern of selected endometrial proteins following mesenchymal stem cells infusion in mares with endometrosis.
Authors: Mambelli Lisley I, Mattos Rodrigo C, Winter Gustavo H Z, Madeiro Dener S, Morais Bruna P, Malschitzky Eduardo, Miglino Maria Angélica, Kerkis Alexandre, Kerkis Irina
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment for Equine Endometrosis Endometrosis represents a significant fertility challenge in mares, characterised by progressive glandular degeneration and fibrosis that fundamentally alters the expression of key endometrial proteins; currently available treatments are limited. Researchers evaluated whether allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (2 × 10⁷ cells per animal) could modulate the endometrial microenvironment by examining protein expression patterns—specifically laminin, vimentin, Ki-67, α-smooth muscle actin and cytokeratin 18—at days 7, 21 and 60 post-infusion compared to placebo controls. Treated mares demonstrated detectable changes in protein localisation within endometrial tissue and glands as early as day 7, alongside increased epithelial cell proliferation (indicated by Ki-67 expression), suggesting the stem cells actively promoted tissue remodelling rather than merely providing structural support. The findings indicate that MSC transplantation may restore a more physiologically favourable endometrial environment by positively modulating the expression patterns of proteins critical to glandular function and epithelial integrity. For practitioners managing subfertile mares with endometrosis, these results suggest MSC infusion warrants further investigation as a regenerative treatment strategy, though clinical efficacy in terms of pregnancy outcomes and long-term durability of improvements remains to be established in larger trials.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Intrauterine MSC transplantation may offer a new therapeutic option for mares with endometrosis where conventional treatments have failed
- •Early tissue responses occur within 7 days of MSC treatment, suggesting timing of follow-up evaluations and repeat treatments should be planned accordingly
- •This approach works by modulating the local tissue environment and promoting cell regeneration rather than replacing damaged tissue directly
Key Findings
- •Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (eAT-MSCs) induced early endometrial tissue remodeling by day 7 post-transplantation
- •eAT-MSCs modulated expression patterns of laminin, vimentin, Ki-67-antigen, α-SMA, and CK18 in diseased endometrial tissue
- •eAT-MSCs promoted proliferation of glandular epithelial cells, suggesting potential for tissue regeneration in endometrosis
- •Changes in protein localization within endometrial glands occurred following MSC infusion, indicating active tissue microenvironment remodeling