Prospective biomarkers of stem cells of human endometrium and fallopian tube compared with bone marrow

S. Indumathi, R. Harikrishnan, J. S. Rajkumar, D. Sudarsanam, M. Dhanasekaran

The applicability of stem cells from the human endometrium and fallopian tube for regeneration is a fascinating area of research because of the role of these cells in dynamic tissue remodelling and their cyclical regenerative property during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Nevertheless, studies on the identity of biomarkers of these stem cells are limited and need to be extended. The present study has aimed at exploring the tissue-specific biomarkers of stem cells derived from the human endometrium and fallopian tube compared with those from bone marrow. Cells were isolated from human endometrium and fallopian tubes and characterized for biomarkers, including CD34, CD133, CD117, CD90, CD105, CD73, nestin, CD29, CD44, CD31, CD54, CD166, CD106, CD49d, CD45, ABCG2, SSEA4, OCT4, SOX2, CD140b and CD146, by flowcytometry. Both endometrium and fallopian tube sources exhibited positivity over a wide range of markers, as did bone marrow. In particular, they exhibited pluripotency, perivascular and mesenchymal stem cell markers and cell adhesion molecules, thereby suggesting their relevance in tissue repair and regeneration. Overall, the results of this study provide evidence for the presence of stem cells in the human endometrium and fallopian tube, which could thus represent additional stem cell sources for regenerative medicine.