Novel stem cell platform improves study of endometriosis
Scientists led by Julie Kim, Ph.D., the Susy Y. Hung Research Professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, have developed a novel stem cell platform that provides a new way to study the biology of endometriosis in humans more accurately than current model systems.
Scientists at the Susy Y. Hung Research Professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Julie Kim, have developed a novel stem cell platform that offers a more accurate way to study endometriosis biology. Published in Science Advances, the platform uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients with endometriosis to capture key molecular and hormonal features of the disease in a controlled, human context.
Endometriosis, which affects an estimated 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide, involves tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside the uterus, causing pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility. Current models have struggled with limited tissue availability, variability in donor cycle stage, and the short lifespan of stromal cells.
The new iPSC-based platform preserves patients' genetic backgrounds, enabling the study of disease-specific mechanisms using cells carrying inherited genetic risk factors. The researchers observed similar disease-associated pathways in the iPSC-derived endometrial stromal fibroblasts and noted distinct epigenetic differences compared to adult cells from patients with endometriosis.
These findings suggest that endometriosis involves both genetic susceptibility and persistent inflammatory signals that reprogram gene regulation. Moving forward, the team plans to use the iPSCs to study macrophages and nociceptor sensory neurons to better understand inflammation and pain in endometriosis.
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