Telocyte-Derived Exosomes Provide an Important Source of Wnts That Inhibits Fibrosis and Supports Regeneration and Repair of Endometrium

This study aims to further investigate the role of TC-derived Wnt ligands carried by exosomes (Exo) in reversal of fibrosis and enhancement of regeneration repair in endometrium. IUA cellular and animal models were established from endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and mice, followed with treatment of TC-conditioned medium (TCM) or TC-derived Exo. In cellular model, fibrosis markers (collagen type 1 alpha 1 [COL1A1], fibronectin [FN], and α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]), and pathway protein (β-catenin) were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting (WB), and immunofluorescence. Results showed that, TCs (either TCM or TC-derived Exo) provide a source of Wnts that inhibit cellular fibrosis, as evidenced by significantly elevated VEGF and β-catenin with decreased fibrotic markers, whereas TCs lost salvage on fibrosis after being blocked with Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors (XAV939 or ETC-159). Further in mouse model, regeneration repair (endometrial thickness, number of glands, and fibrosis area ratio), fibrosis markers (fibronectin [FN]), mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) (E-cadherin, N-cadherin), and angiogenesis (VEGF, microvessel density [MVD]) were studied by hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry. Results demonstrated that TC-Exo treatment effectively promotes regeneration repair of endometrium by relieving fibrosis, enhancing ...
Source: Cell Transplantation - Category: Cytology Authors: Source Type: research