Key signaling pathway and gene expression differences between undifferentiated menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells and differentiated endometrial cells

Endometrial injury often underlies the development of intrauterine adhesions, which may lead to female infertility or repeated miscarriages. Effective treatments for severe endometrial injury are lacking. Obtaining menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) from menstrual blood is non-invasive and relatively easy. These cells have a strong differentiation potential and can differentiate into endometrial cells as well as other cell types that may be used to treat endometrial injury. The aim of the present was to identify the molecules and signaling pathways that are significantly changed when MenSCs differentiate into endometrial cells. SMART-seq was used to identify gene expression levels in MenSCs and in MenSCs after they were induced to differentiate into endometrial cells. This study provides a detailed transcriptome profile and protein signaling pathway analysis of endometrial cells that were differentiated from MenSCs, offering mechanistic insights informing stem cell therapy and treatment of infertility caused by endometrial injury.