Bone marrow–derived cells from male donors can compose endometrial glands in female transplant recipients
Received 18 March 2009; received in revised form 12 May 2009; accepted 14 July 2009. published online 05 October 2009.
Objective
For continuous regeneration of human endometrium in menstrual cycles, endometrial stem cells are assumed to supply differentiating endometrial glandular cells. To elucidate the origin of endometrial stem cells, we examined the presence of donor-derived cells in endometria from patients who received bone marrow transplantation from male donors.
Study Design
Endometrial specimens biopsied after hormone replacement therapy were obtained and examined using fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis targeting X or Y chromosomes.
Results
All recipients had donor-derived Y chromosome–positive endometrial cells, accounting for 0.6-8.4% of glandular epithelial cells and 8.2-9.8% of stromal cells. Most of the endometrial glands were chimeric, consisting of both donor-derived and recipient cells.
Conclusion
Donor-derived cells are capable of composing endometrium in recipients, even those of the opposite sex. These results suggest unexpected plasticity of bone marrow stem cells as well as a potential origin of endometrial stem cells.
aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
bDepartment of Hematology, Oncology, and Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
cSection of Pathology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Reprints: Satoru Kyo, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
This study was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Megumi Medical foundation of Kanazawa University.
Cite this article as: Ikoma T, Kyo S, Maida Y, et al. Bone marrow–derived cells from male donors can compose endometrial glands in female transplant recipients. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009;201:608.e1-8.
ABSTRACT