Uterine Repair Mechanisms Are Potentiated by Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Decellularized Tissue Grafts Through Elevated , , and Gene Expression.

Transplantation of decellularized uterus tissue showed promise in supporting regeneration following uterine injury in animal models, suggesting an alternative to complete uterus transplantation for uterine factor infertility treatment. However, most animal studies utilized small grafts, limiting their clinical relevance. Hence, we used larger grafts (20 × 10 mm), equivalent to nearly one uterine horn in rats, to better evaluate the bioengineering challenges associated with structural support, revascularization, and tissue regeneration.

Towards a bioengineered uterus: bioactive sheep uterus scaffolds are effectively recellularized by enzymatic preconditioning.

Uterine factor infertility was considered incurable until recently when we reported the first successful live birth after uterus transplantation. However, risky donor surgery and immunosuppressive therapy are factors that may be avoided with bioengineering. For example, transplanted recellularized constructs derived from decellularized tissue restored fertility in rodent models and mandate translational studies.

Uterine Tissue Engineering and the Future of Uterus Transplantation.

The recent successful births following live donor uterus transplantation are proof-of-concept that absolute uterine factor infertility is a treatable condition which affects several hundred thousand infertile women world-wide due to a dysfunctional uterus. This strategy also provides an alternative to gestational surrogate motherhood which is not practiced in most countries due to ethical, religious or legal reasons. The live donor surgery involved in uterus transplantation takes more than 10 h and is then followed by years of immunosuppressive medication to prevent uterine rejection.

Bioengineered uterine tissue supports pregnancy in a rat model.

Objective: To create a bioengineered uterine patch for uterine repair of a partially defect uterus.

Design: Three different decellularized uterine scaffolds were recellularized in vitro with primary uterine cells and green fluorescent protein- (GPF-) labeled bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GFP-MSCs). The patches were transplanted in vivo to investigate their tissue adaptation and supporting capacity during pregnancy.