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- Hellström, Mats, 1976, et al.
(author)
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Bioengineered uterine tissue supports pregnancy in a rat model
- 2016
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In: Fertility and Sterility. - : Elsevier BV. - 0015-0282. ; 106:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 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. Animal(s): Female Lewis rats (n = 9) as donors to generate whole-uterus scaffolds using three different protocols (n = 3 per protocol); Sprague Dawley rats (n = 40) for primary uterus cell isolation procedures (n = 10) and for transplantation/pregnancy studies (n = 30); and male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 12) for mating. Intervention(s): Decellularization was achieved by whole-uterus perfusion with buffered or nonbuffered Triton-X100 and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; group P1/P2) or with sodium deoxycholate (group P3). Primary uterine cells and GFP-MSCs were used to develop uterine tissue constructs, which were grafted to uteri with partial tissue defects. Main Outcome Measure(s): Recellularization efficiency and graft quality were analyzed morphologically, immunohistochemically, and by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The location and number of fetuses were documented during pregnancy days 16-20. Result(s): Pregnancy and fetal development were normal in groups P1 and P2, with fetal development over patched areas. Group P3 showed significant reduction of fetal numbers, and embryos were not seen in the grafted area. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry revealed uterus-like tissue in the patches, which had been further reconstructed by infiltrating host cells after transplantation. Conclusion(s): Primary uterine cells and MSCs can be used to reconstruct decellularized uterine tissue. The bioengineered patches made from triton-X100+DMSO-generated scaffolds were supportive during pregnancy. These protocols should be explored further to develop suitable grafting material to repair partially defect uteri and possibly to create a complete bioengineered uterus. ((C) 2016 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)
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| 2. |
- Padma, Arvind M., et al.
(author)
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Protocols for Rat Uterus Isolation and Decellularization: Applications for Uterus Tissue Engineering and 3D Cell Culturing.
- 2018
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In: Decellularized Scaffolds and Organogenesis. Kursad Turksen (red.). - New York, NY : Springer. - 1940-6029. - 9781493976553 ; , s. 161-175
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sophisticated culturing conditions are required to grow cells in a three-dimensional (3D) environment. Cells then require a type of scaffold rich in proteins, growth factors, and signaling molecules that simulates their natural environment. Tissues from all species of animals have an organ-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) structure that plays a key role in cell proliferation and migration. Hence, the scaffold composition plays a significant role for any successful 3D cell culturing system. We developed a whole rat uterus ECM scaffold by the perfusion of detergents and ionic solutions through the vascular system of an isolated normal rat uterus in a process termed "decellularization." The generated rat uterus scaffolds consist of a cell-free ECM structure similar to that of the normal rat uterus, and are thus excellent platforms on to which new cells can be added. Rat uterus 3D cell culturing systems based on these scaffolds could become valuable to decidual differentiation- and embryo implantation studies, or for investigating invasion mechanisms of endometrial cancer cells. They could also be used for the creation of tissue engineered uterine tissue, for partial or whole organogenesis developed for transplantation applications to treat absolute uterine infertility. This is a condition affecting about 1 in 500 women, and is only treatable by a uterus transplantation. This article provides valuable troubleshooting notes and describes in detail how to generate rat uterus scaffolds, including the delicate surgery required to isolate the uterus with an intact vascular tree which facilitates vascular perfusion and re-transplantation.
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| 3. |
- Racho El-Akouri, Randa, 1971, et al.
(author)
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Uterus transplantation: An update and the Middle East perspective
- 2017
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In: Middle East Fertility Society Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1110-5690. ; 22:3, s. 163-169
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Uterus transplantation (UTx) is the only available treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI), which is caused by either absence (congenital or after hysterectomy) or presence of a non-functioning uterus. Uterus transplantation became a clinical reality after more than 10 years of structured animal-based research. Aside from gestational surrogacy, this procedure is the only alternative for women with AUFI to attain genetic motherhood. In the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) region, out of a population of around 470 million, more than 100,000 women of fertile age are estimated to suffer from AUFI. Introduction of UTx as an infertility treatment in this region will certainly differ in specific countries from ethical, religious and legal standpoints depending on culture and religion. The MENAT region is the cradle of three religions and the geographic area encompasses a variety of cultures and religions with different views on assisted reproduction. In light of these issues, the aim of this article is to give an overview of the research-based development of UTx and its clinical results up until today as well as to explore how UTx would fit into current infertility treatments in the MENAT region, with its existing multifaceted religious perspectives. (C) 2017 Middle East Fertility Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.
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| 4. |
- Sozen, Berna, et al.
(author)
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Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation attenuates ovarian ageing in a galactose-induced primary ovarian insufficiency rat model
- 2019
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In: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1058-0468 .- 1573-7330. ; 36, s. 2181-2189
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. Purpose: Almost every female classic galactosemia patient develops primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). The unique pathophysiology of classic galactosemia, with a severely reduced follicle pool at an early age, requires a new therapeutic approach. This study evaluated the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on ovarian tissue in a galactose-induced POI rat model. Methods: Pregnant rats were fed with either a normal or a 35% galactose-containing diet from day 3 of conception continuing through weaning of the litters. Galactose-exposed female offspring were further divided into 5 groups on PND21. The first group received no application. Treatment groups were fed orally by gavage once daily with sesame oil (group 2), or DHEA at doses of 0.1mg/kg (group 3), 1mg/kg (group 4) or 10mg/kg (group 5) until PND70. Fertility rates of mothers with galactosemia, body weights (BWs), and ovarian weights of the litters from PND21 to PND70 were recorded. Ovarian follicle count, immunohistochemistry for proliferation and apoptosis marker expressions and TUNEL for cell death assessment were performed in offspring ovaries. Results: Decreased fertility, ovarian/body weights were observed under galactosemic conditions, together with decreased follicle number and increased atresia. Improved postnatal development, primordial follicle recruitment and follicular growth were observed after DHEA treatment. After DHEA treatment, the expression of Ki67 protein was found to be increased; elevated expression of cleaved-caspase-3 under galactosemia was found to be reduced. Conclusions: Our data suggests that DHEA treatment may be a potentially useful clinical therapy to improve ovarian ageing in women with POI-induced by galactosemia.
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