In-vitro construction of endometrial-like epithelium using CD146⁺ mesenchymal cells derived from human endometrium

Endometrial CD146⁺ cells were purified, using magnetic activated cell sorting, and then embedded and cultured in a collagen-matrigel scaffold on top of myometrial smooth muscle cells for 10 days. At the end of culture period, the differentiation and formation of the epithelial-like cells were confirmed by morphological and ultrastructural evaluations, and analysis by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of the specific expression of genes: osteopontin (SPP1), matrix metalloproteinase 2, zonula occludens 1, laminin alpha 2 and collagen type IV; and by western blotting of CD9 protein. The results showed that the human endometrial mesenchymal CD146⁺ cells were able to produce endometrial glandular tube-like structures in vitro. Ultrastructural observation revealed some projections on the apical surfaces, appearance of basal lamina-like structures on the basal surface, and tight junctions and desmosomes on the lateral surfaces of the epithelial-like cells. The expression of studied genes at RNA level and CD9 at protein level confirmed the formation of endometrial epithelial-like cells. This culture system may have potential applications in cell therapy and in studies on human embryo implantation.