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Derivation and long-term expansion of human endometrial and decidual organoids

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Gardner, L 
Koo, B-K 

Abstract

This protocol describes the derivation and long-term culture of self-organising, 3D epithelial organoids from human uterine tissues. Organoids which recapitulate features of uterine glands in vivo can be derived from both non-pregnant endometrium and from the decidua of early pregnancy using the method described. The organoids are able to respond to hormonal signals, secrete components of uterine ‘milk’ and can also differentiate into ciliated luminal epithelial cells. Since implantation in vivo occurs onto the uterine ciliated luminal epithelium and since uterine glands are the major source of histotrophic nutrition for the developing human conceptus the organoids will allow studies of early implantation in vitro. In addition they provide a useful tool to study the role of uterine stem cells in cyclical endometrial breakdown, repair, hyperplasia, carcinoma and endometriosis. Organoids can be consistently established within one to two weeks of initiation of culture and can be expanded long term, cryopreserved and resurrected.

Description

Keywords

endometrial, decidual, organoids, glands, 3-D culture, Matrigel

Journal Title

Protocol Exchange

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2043-0116
2043-0116

Volume Title

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (200841/Z/16/Z)
This work was supported by Medical Research Council (MR/L020041/1), Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge and Wellcome Trust (RG60992). M.Y.T. has received funding from E.U. 7th Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no PIEF-GA-2013-629785. J.H. was supported by Wellcome Trust vacation scholarship. B-K. Koo is supported by a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society [101241/Z/13/Z] and receives core support grant from the Wellcome Trust and MRC to the WT-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute.