Mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton jelly of the human umbilical cord ameliorate damage to human endometrial stromal cells

Objective To investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from Wharton jelly of umbilical cord (WJ-MSCs) on ameliorating damaged human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Design Experimental study. Setting University-affiliated hospital. Patient(s) Sixteen endometrial tissues were obtained from women undergoing hysterectomy. Eight umbilical cords were obtained from full-term deliveries. Intervention(s) ESCs were cultured with mifepristone to get damaged ESCs, then damaged ESCs were co-cultured with WJ-MSCs. Main Outcome Measure(s) The proliferation of ESCs was investigated by Cell Counting Kit 8, and the percentage of apoptosis by annexin-V–fluorescein isothiocyanate binding. The mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and caspases 3, 8, and 9 were determined by one-step quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Result(s) After exposure to mifepristone, the proliferation of ESCs decreased and the apoptosis percentage increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. At a certain dose and duration, this damage continued even after the withdrawl of mifepristone at 48 hours. When the damaged ESCs were cocultured with WJ-MSCs, the proliferation of these damaged cells was significantly increased and apoptosis percentage decreased. In addition, the level of VEGF mRNA and protein decreased and that of caspases 3, 8, and 9 increased. Conclusion(s) WJ-MSCs may serve as a promising treatment approach to ameliorate endometrial damage.