Journal of International Reproductive Health/Family Planning ›› 2021, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (4): 319-322.doi: 10.12280/gjszjk.20200720

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Endometrial Stem/Progenitor Cells and the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

DAI Lei, MAO Yun-dong()   

  1. Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
  • Received:2020-12-22 Published:2021-07-15 Online:2021-07-27
  • Contact: MAO Yun-dong E-mail:drmaoyd@aliyun.com

Abstract:

The endometrial stem/progenitor cells are new targets for the study of the pathogenesis of endometriosis. According to their surface markers and functions in human body, endometrial stem/progenitor cells can be divided into four subgroups: endometrial epithelial progenitor cells, endometrial mesenchymal stem cells, side population cells, niche cells. The discovery of endometrial stem/progenitor cells has improved the Sampson′s theory of retrograde menstruation, and provided a new and reasonable explanation for the pathogenesis of adolescent endometriosis. The further study of endometrial stem/progenitor cells will provide a new possibility for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

Key words: Endometriosis, Endometrium, Stem cells, Mesenchymal stromal cells