Reversing Uteropathies Including Cancer-Like Changes in Mice by Transplanting Mesenchymal Stromal Cells or XAR Treatment

Pluripotent, very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) and tissue-committed ‘progenitors’ termed endometrial stem cells (EnSCs) are reported in mouse uterus. They express gonadal and gonadotropin hormone receptors and thus are vulnerable to early-life endocrine insults. Neonatal exposure of mouse pups to endocrine disruption cause stem/progenitor cells to undergo epigenetic changes, excessive self-renewal, and blocked differentiation that results in various uteropathies including non-receptive endometrium, hyperplasia, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and cancer-like changes in adult life. Present study investigated reversal of these uteropathies, by normalizing functions of VSELs and EnSCs. Two strategies were evaluated including (i) transplanting mesenchymal stromal cells (provide paracrine support) on D60 or (ii) oral administration of XAR (epigenetic regulator) daily from days 60–100 and effects were studied later in 100 days old mice. Results show normalization of stem/progenitor cells ( Oct-4, Oct-4A, Sox-2, Nanog ) and Wnt signalling ( Wnt-4, β-catenin, Axin-2 ) specific transcripts. Flow cytometry results showed reduced numbers of 2–6 µm, LIN-CD45-SCA-1 + VSELs. Hyperplasia (Ki67) of epithelial ( Pax-8, Foxa-2 ) and myometrial ( α-Sma, Tgf-β ) cells was reduced, adenogenesis (differentiation of glands) was restored, endometrial receptivity and differentiation (LIF, c-KIT, SOX-9, NUMB) and stromal cells niche (CD90, VIMENTIN, Pdgfra, Vimentin ) were improved, cancer stem cells markers (OCT-4, CD166) were reduced while tumor suppressor genes (PTEN, P53 ) and epigenetic regulators ( Ezh-2, Sirt-1 ) were increased. To conclude, normalizing VSELs/EnSCs to manage uteropathies provides a novel basis for initiating clinical studies. The study falls under the umbrella of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all of all ages. Graphical Abstract