Stem Cells in Menstrual Blood | 20 Feb 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, researchers have unveiled the regenerative potential of stem cells in menstrual blood, stemming from studies conducted roughly two decades ago.

• This discovery has opened new avenues for understanding the complex interplay between the female reproductive system and regenerative processes.

What are Menstrual Blood Stem Cells?

• About:
  • Menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs), known as endometrial stromal mesenchymal stem cells, possess multipotent properties, meaning they can differentiate into various tissue types such as fat cells, bone cells, and smooth muscle cells.
  • MenSCs are an ethical source of adult stem cells that can be collected painlessly from women.
    • MenSCs can be collected through a menstrual cup, providing a less invasive alternative to surgical biopsies.
  • MenSCs can be obtained from women's menstrual blood derived from the endometrium (lines the inside of the uterus).
• Role in Women's Health:
  • Regenerative Potential:
    • MenSCs exhibit multipotent characteristics. This means they can differentiate into various cell types, including neurons, cartilage, fat, bone, heart, liver, and skin cells.
  • Treating Endometriosis:
    • MenSCs offer potential avenues for treating gynaecological disorders such as endometriosis and infertility.
      • Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant.
        • Endometriosis can start at a person's first menstrual period and last until menopause (end of menstrual cycles).
      • Common symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, especially during menstruation, painful intercourse, infertility, heavy menstrual bleeding, and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea or constipation.
      • The cause and ways to prevent endometriosis are unknown. There is no cure, but its symptoms can be treated with medicines or, in some cases, surgery.
        • The contributing factor to endometriosis is the backflow of menstrual blood into a woman's fallopian tubes.
        • This backward flow carries blood into the pelvic cavity, a funnel-shaped space between the bones of the pelvis.
        • Endometrial stem cells deposited in these areas may prompt the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, resulting in painful lesions, scarring, and often infertility.
• Broader Therapeutic Applications:
  • Menstrual stem cells have potential therapeutic applications beyond gynaecological diseases.
  • Injecting menstrual stem cells into diabetic mice stimulated the regeneration of insulin-producing cells and improved blood sugar levels.
    • Treating injuries with stem cells or their secretions helped heal wounds in mice.
  • Menstrual stem cells can be transplanted into humans without adverse side effects.
• Challenges:
  • Despite the convenience of collecting menstrual stem cells, research in this area represents a tiny fraction of overall stem cell research.
    • As of 2020, menstrual stem cell research accounted for only 0.25% of all mesenchymal cell research, while bone marrow stem cells represented 47.7%.
  • Ensuring consistent and scalable production of MenSCs for clinical applications remains a challenge.
  • Cultural taboos and limited investment in women’s health research pose significant challenges in securing funding for menstrual stem cell studies.
  • Addressing gender bias in research funding is crucial to elevate menstrual stem cell research as a promising frontier in regenerative medicine, beyond its association with menstruation.