Repository logo
 

Menstrual flow as a non-invasive source of endometrial organoids.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Abstract

Assessment of the endometrium often necessitates a biopsy, which currently involves an invasive, transcervical procedure. Here, we present an alternative technique based on deriving organoids from menstrual flow. We demonstrate that organoids can be derived from gland fragments recovered from menstrual flow. To confirm they faithfully reflect the in vivo state we compared organoids derived from paired scratch biopsies and ensuing menstrual flow from patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF). We demonstrate that the two sets of organoids share the same transcriptome signature, derivation efficiency and proliferation rate. Furthermore, they respond similarly to sex steroids and early-pregnancy hormones, with changes in morphology, receptor expression, and production of 'uterine milk' proteins that mimic those during the late-secretory phase and early pregnancy. This technique has wide-ranging impact for non-invasive investigation and personalised approaches to treatment of common gynaecological conditions, such as endometriosis, and reproductive disorders, including failed implantation after IVF and recurrent miscarriage.

Description

Keywords

Adult, Cells, Cultured, Endometrium, Female, Fertilization in Vitro, Humans, Menstruation, Organoids, Pilot Projects

Journal Title

Commun Biol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2399-3642
2399-3642

Volume Title

4

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Royal Society (DH160216)
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) ERC (853546)
The Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship (DH160216); the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement No. [853546]). Th Trophoblast Research. L’Oreal-UNESCO UK and Ireland Fellowship For Women In Science.
Relationships
Is supplemented by: