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Updated: Apr 24, 2026
Two Methods for Establishing Primary Human Endometrial Stromal Cells from Hysterectomy Specimens
Published on: May 23, 2014
Circulating endometrial cells in peripheral blood.
Vladimir Bobek1, Katarina Kolostova2, Eduard Kucera3
1Department of Laboratory Genetics, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland; 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.
Researchers developed a new method to capture and culture endometrial cells from blood and peritoneal fluid. This technique shows promise for diagnosing endometriosis and understanding its development.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endometriosis is a prevalent condition in women of reproductive age.
- Current diagnostic methods for endometriosis lack reliable blood tests.
- Understanding the pathogenesis of endometriosis requires cellular analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel method for isolating and culturing endometrial cells.
- To investigate the presence of circulating endometrial cells (CECs) and peritoneal endometrial cells (PECs) in patients with endometriosis.
- To establish a platform for post-isolation cellular analysis of endometrial cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a size-based enrichment method (MetaCell®) for isolating CECs from peripheral blood (PB) and PECs from peritoneal washing (PW).
- Enriched and cultured viable CECs and PECs from patients diagnosed with endometriosis.
- Confirmed endometrial origin of cells using immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- PECs were detected in all tested patients (n=17) via peritoneal washing.
- CECs were identified in 23.5% (4/17) of patients' peripheral blood.
- Successfully cultured PECs in vitro, demonstrating both stromal and glandular phenotypes; CECs were cultured in 2 out of 4 positive cases.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated an efficient, user-friendly platform for capturing endometrial cells based on size.
- Showcased the ability to culture captured endometrial cells, a crucial step for further analysis.
- The presence of CECs in peripheral blood serves as specific evidence of active endometriosis.
