| The uterus is a unique organ equipped with unique cells that allow the tissue to undergo cyclical regeneration of decidua during the menstrual cycle and pregnancies. The regeneration of epithelial and stromal tissue is accompanied by angiogenesis. The remarkable regenerative potential of the cells that populate this tissue was studied on the postulate that cells from this milieu can perform reparative functions when transplanted to sites of injury. Uterine cells were isolated, studied and transplanted into a rodent model of myocardial infarction. Results demonstrated uterine cell transplantation leads to detectable improvement in heart function. Additionally, during the course of identifying uterine cell candidates for transplantation, unique cells were identified, including endometrial telocytes, Canopy 2 detectable cells and rounding macrophages. |
