Table Of ContentSPRINGERBRIEFS IN STEM CELLS
Indumathi Somasundaram
Endometrial
Stem Cells and
Its Potential
Applications
123
SpringerBriefs in Stem Cells
More information about this series at h ttp://www.springer.com/series/10206
Indumathi Somasundaram
Endometrial Stem Cells
and Its Potential Applications
Indumathi Somasundaram
Department of Stem cell and Regenerative
Medicine
Centre for Interdisciplinary Research
D.Y. Patil University
Kolhapur , India
ISSN 2192-8118 ISSN 2192-8126 (electronic)
SpringerBriefs in Stem Cells
ISBN 978-81-322-2744-1 ISBN 978-81-322-2746-5 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-2746-5
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016930395
Springer New Delhi Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London
© Springer India 2016
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I dedicate this book to my sweet little kid.
Akshaya K Rahul
Foreword
T his text presents an excellent update of the latest fi ndings in endometrial biology.
This book begins with a basic description of the anatomy, physiology, and pathol-
ogy of the uterus and, in particular, the endometrium. Subsequently, the main focus
becomes the role of endometrial stem cells, where both their positive and negative
attributes are described. Specifi cally, the book describes their role in the physiology
and development of the endometrium throughout a woman’s life, as well as their
role in various endometrial disorders. Moreover, the potential use of these cells in
clinical settings is addressed.
The fi eld of stem cells has become among the most intensely studied areas in the
last decade. Stem cells have the innate property to reproduce and differentiate into
other cells. This leads to many possibilities including tissue regeneration and devel-
opment which can be used for transplant in humans with a range of diseases. Adult
stem cells can divide or self-renew indefi nitely, allowing them to generate a range
of cell types from the originating organ or even regenerate the entire original organ.
Additionally, it has now been demonstrated that adult stem cells can be coaxed to
differentiate into other tissue cell types.
The latest descriptions on the isolation, phenotypic characterization, and cultur-
ing of endometrial stem cells from sources such as menstrual blood, biopsies, or
hysterectomies are clearly described. In vitro multi-lineage differentiation strategies
demonstrate the high plasticity and potential of endometrial stem cells which can be
coaxed into differentiating into ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal lineages.
The author points out those studies on adult stem cell biology in the uterus lag
behind other areas of stem cell research despite the important fact that unlike other
organs, the uterus undergoes the most extensive proliferative changes and remodel-
ing in adult mammals. Putative stem or progenitor cells are responsible for the
cyclical regeneration of the endometrium functionalis. These stem cells are believed
to reside in the endometrium basalis, making this part of the uterus of highest
importance. This makes the endometrium a treasure for regenerative medicine as its
stem cells are highly regenerative and can likely be used for a wide number of
diseases.
vii
viii Foreword
While the usefulness of endometrial stem cells in ischemic injury, diabetes, and
Parkinson’s disease is one of the areas where endometrial progenitor cells have been
shown to reverse disease in animal models, these cells can have untoward outcomes
due to abnormal proliferation and differentiation.
In summary, the current understanding of stem cells has raised great hopes in the
ability to cure disease and enhance the ability to transplant tissues. Ever since the
fi rst bone marrow transplant, scientists have been slowly exploring the fi eld which
has now exploded with new and exciting fi ndings.
Yale School of Medicine Hugh S. Taylor
Yale University
New Haven , CT , USA
Pref ace
S tem cells in recent years have confi gured regenerative medicine with their wide
range of therapeutic potentials. This revolutionary change has increased the demand
of stem cells for a myriad of diseases. Their ability to treat so many diseases rests
on their unique properties of self-renewal and differentiation. The potentials of stem
cells have been demonstrated from various sources such as bone marrow, adipose
tissue, cord blood, placenta, amniotic fl uid, and so on. Regardless of the ubiquitous
presence of stem cells in all tissues, taking those stem cells adaptable for regenera-
tive medicine applications in adequate quantities at the right time is a challenge.
This is with regard to the inevitable fact that the frequencies of stem cells, their
proliferative capacities and differentiation potentials, as well as phenotypic and
immunomodulatory properties have been shown to vary in different sources. Thus,
choosing an ideal source of stem cells for treating a multitude of diseases is most
imperative. The human endometrium could be considered as an ideal source of stem
cells, as it possesses unique attributes that are engaged in the coordinated functions
of pregnancy and menstruation throughout reproductive life of women. Besides,
endometrial stem cells could also be isolated from the postmenopausal women, sug-
gesting the potential of this stem cell throughout life of women. In a nutshell, human
endometrium could be considered as an ideal source of stem cells for treating mul-
titude of diseases in the present and in the near future due to the following reasons:
easy to isolate, readily available, non-invasive, longer preservation, highly clono-
genic with a higher multi-differentiation ability, and possessing immunomodulatory
properties and inherent angiogenic potential. This Springer Brief, thus, indents to
address the potential applications of endometrial stem cells as an accessible, nonin-
vasive, rather potent source of stem cells for therapeutic interventions. This is
accomplished by demonstrating the unique properties of endometrial stem cells
with its in vitro and in vivo applications. The book ends with the emphasis on the
threat and challenges of endometrial stem cells in causing gynecological disorders
as a base for scientists and researchers to explore the ways of treatment and cures.
Kolhapur, India Indumathi Somasundaram
ix
