Stem cells in endometriosis: from basic research to new therapeutic approaches
Alberto Revelli (IT), Stefano Canosa (IT), Aldo Moggio (IT), Chiara Benedetto (IT), Benedetta Bussolati (IT)
[Revelli] University of Torino, [Canosa] University of Torino, [Moggio] Biotechnology Institute University of Torino, [Benedetto] University of Torino, [Bussolati] Biotechnology Institute University of Torino
Herein is presented a study aimed at characterizing the proliferation, migration and angiogenic properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissue and to investigate the effect of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Sorafenib and of the VEGF receptor inhibitor Cabergoline on them. Patients receiving surgical treatment for pelvic endometriosis and control patients without endometriosis undergoing surgery for benign gynaecological diseases were included. MSC lines were isolated from ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissue. We observed that ectopic endometrial MSC from patients with endometriosis showed a higher proliferation, migration and angiogenic ability than eutopic MSC from the same patient or control MSC from patients without endometriosis. Sorafenib effectively reduced the proliferation, motility, ezrin phosphorylation, VEGF release and HIF-1α expression of ectopic MSC. Cabergoline displayed milder effects of lower clinical relevance. In conclusion, we showed that the increased proliferative, migratory and angiogenic phenotype of ectopic MSC may be reverted by treatment with Sorafenib. Targeting of the MSC population involved in sustaining the ectopic lesions might be useful in eradicating endometriotic implants.