CHARACTERISTICS AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF MENSTRUAL BLOOD-DERIVED STEM CELLS

Abstract

The tremendous regenerative capacity of the human endometrium is based on the activity of adult stem cells. Endometrial stem cells are mainly located in the basal layer, but could also be successfully isolated from the functional layer, which is shed during menstruation. Menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) can be obtained by noninvasive procedures. They are characterized by high proliferative potential, long-term culturing properties, mesenchymal stem cell-like marker expression and multilineage differentiation potential. MenSCs have been successfully employed as therapeutics in animal models of myocardial infarction, stroke, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and critical limb ischemia. Their allogenic application is not associated with immunological side effects, and does not promote tumor formation in vivo. Pilot studies have confirmed their safety upon applications in humans, and phase 1/2 clinical studies on their safety and therapeutic efficacy are ongoing. A systematic banking of immunoprofiled MenSCs will expand the therapeutic repertoire beyond autologous stem cell transplantations.