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Dai W, Liang J, Guo R, Zhao Z, Na Z, Xu D, Li D. Bioengineering approaches for the endometrial research and application. Mater Today Bio 2024; 26:101045. [PMID: 38600921 PMCID: PMC11004221 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The endometrium undergoes a series of precise monthly changes under the regulation of dynamic levels of ovarian hormones that are characterized by repeated shedding and subsequent regeneration without scarring. This provides the potential for wound healing during endometrial injuries. Bioengineering materials highlight the faithful replication of constitutive cells and the extracellular matrix that simulates the physical and biomechanical properties of the endometrium to a larger extent. Significant progress has been made in this field, and functional endometrial tissue bioengineering allows an in-depth investigation of regulatory factors for endometrial and myometrial defects in vitro and provides highly therapeutic methods to alleviate obstetric and gynecological complications. However, much remains to be learned about the latest progress in the application of bioengineering technologies to the human endometrium. Here, we summarize the existing developments in biomaterials and bioengineering models for endometrial regeneration and improving the female reproductive potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanlin Dai
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Junzhi Liang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Renhao Guo
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhongyu Zhao
- Innovation Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhijing Na
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, China
| | - Dake Xu
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Da Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
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De Vriendt S, Casares CM, Rocha S, Vankelecom H. Matrix scaffolds for endometrium-derived organoid models. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1240064. [PMID: 37635971 PMCID: PMC10450215 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1240064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The uterus-lining endometrium is essential to mammalian reproduction, receiving and accommodating the embryo for proper development. Despite its key role, mechanisms underlying endometrial biology (menstrual cycling, embryo interaction) and disease are not well understood. Its hidden location in the womb, and thereby-associated lack of suitable research models, contribute to this knowledge gap. Recently, 3D organoid models have been developed from both healthy and diseased endometrium. These organoids closely recapitulate the tissue's epithelium phenotype and (patho)biology, including in vitro reproduction of the menstrual cycle. Typically, organoids are grown in a scaffold made of surrogate tissue extracellular matrix (ECM), with mouse tumor basement membrane extracts being the most commonly used. However, important limitations apply including their lack of standardization and xeno-derivation which strongly hinder clinical translation. Therefore, researchers are actively seeking better alternatives including fully defined matrices for faithful and efficient growth of organoids. Here, we summarize the state-of-the-art regarding matrix scaffolds to grow endometrium-derived organoids as well as more advanced organoid-based 3D models. We discuss remaining shortcomings and challenges to advance endometrial organoids toward defined and standardized tools for applications in basic research and translational/clinical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke De Vriendt
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Celia Mesias Casares
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susana Rocha
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Tang S, Parks SE, Liao Z, Cope DI, Blutt SE, Monsivais D. Establishing 3D Endometrial Organoids from the Mouse Uterus. J Vis Exp 2023:10.3791/64448. [PMID: 36688555 PMCID: PMC10208800 DOI: 10.3791/64448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial tissue lines the inner cavity of the uterus and is under the cyclical control of estrogen and progesterone. It is a tissue that is composed of luminal and glandular epithelium, a stromal compartment, a vascular network, and a complex immune cell population. Mouse models have been a powerful tool to study the endometrium, revealing critical mechanisms that control implantation, placentation, and cancer. The recent development of 3D endometrial organoid cultures presents a state-of-the-art model to dissect the signaling pathways that underlie endometrial biology. Establishing endometrial organoids from genetically engineered mouse models, analyzing their transcriptomes, and visualizing their morphology at a single-cell resolution are crucial tools for the study of endometrial diseases. This paper outlines methods to establish 3D cultures of endometrial epithelium from mice and describes techniques to quantify gene expression and analyze the histology of the organoids. The goal is to provide a resource that can be used to establish, culture, and study the gene expression and morphological characteristics of endometrial epithelial organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suni Tang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine; Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Sydney E Parks
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine; Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Zian Liao
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine; Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Dominique I Cope
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine; Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Sarah E Blutt
- Departments of Molecular Virology and Microbiology and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Diana Monsivais
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine; Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine;
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Xu Y, Cai S, Wang Q, Cheng M, Hui X, Dzakah EE, Zhao B, Chen X. Multi-Lineage Human Endometrial Organoids on Acellular Amniotic Membrane for Endometrium Regeneration. Cell Transplant 2023; 32:9636897231218408. [PMID: 38097275 PMCID: PMC10725651 DOI: 10.1177/09636897231218408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Asherman's syndrome is an endometrial regeneration disorder resulting from injury to the endometrial basal layer, causing the formation of scar tissue in the uterus and cervix. This usually leads to uterine infertility, menstrual disorders, and placental abnormalities. While stem cell therapy has shown extensive progress in repairing the damaged endometrium and preventing intrauterine adhesion, issues of low engraftment rates, rapid senescence, and the risk of tumorigenesis remain to be resolved for efficient and effective application of this technology in endometrial repair. This study addressed these challenges by developing a co-culture system to generate multi-lineage endometrial organoids (MLEOs) comprising endometrial epithelium organoids (EEOs) and endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs). The efficacy of these MLEOs was investigated by seeding them on a biocompatible scaffold, the human acellular amniotic membrane (HAAM), to create a biological graft patch, which was subsequently transplanted into an injury model of the endometrium in rats. The results indicated that the MLEOs on the HAAM patch facilitated endometrial angiogenesis, regeneration, and improved pregnancy outcomes. The MLEOs on the HAAM patch could serve as a promising strategy for treating endometrial injury and preventing Asherman's syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Xu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuyan Cai
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Minzhang Cheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xianrui Hui
- Institute of Organoid Technology, bioGenous Biotechnology, Inc., Suzhou, China
| | | | - Bing Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Organoid Technology, bioGenous Biotechnology, Inc., Suzhou, China
- Institute of Organoid Technology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaojun Chen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
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