Transplantation of bFGF-transfected bone mesenchymal stem cells on collagen scaffolds promotes the regeneration of injured rat endometrium

Fang Chen; Yingxin Gong; Ninghong Jiang; Jingjing Xiao; Yaping Wang; Limei Chen; Long Sui

Transplantation of bFGF-transfected bone mesenchymal stem cells on collagen scaffolds promotes the regeneration of injured rat endometrium

Am J Transl Res. 2022 Sep 15;14(9):6712-6725. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Fang Chen¹, Yingxin Gong^{1

2}, Ninghong Jiang¹, Jingjing Xiao¹, Yaping Wang^{1

2}, Limei Chen¹, Long Sui¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China.
² Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases Shanghai, China.

PMID: 36247308
PMCID: PMC9556468

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to verify the role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) loaded on collagen scaffolds for the repair of injured endometrium.

Methods: We established an intrauterine adhesion (IUA) model in rats by endometrial resection and implanted BMSCs and bFGF-BMSCs loaded on collagen scaffolds into uteri. A total of 100 IUA model rats were divided into five groups: the control group, scaffold group, BMSC+scaffold group, vector-BMSC group, and bFGF-BMSC+scaffold group. The rats were sacrificed on the 3^rd, 7^th, 15^th, and 45^th days. The endometrium thickness, number of glands, and microvascular density were measured by hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry staining of CD31. The expression of bFGF, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vimentin, and Ki67 was assayed by immunohistochemistry staining.

Results: The bFGF-BMSCs loaded on the collagen scaffold significantly increased the endometrial thickness, gland number, and microvascular density, which greatly promoted the regeneration of the injured endometrium (P<0.0001). In addition, the expression levels of bFGF, VEGF, vimentin, and Ki67 were significantly higher in the bFGF-BMSC+scaffold group than in the BMSC+scaffold group (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Our findings indicated that bFGF-BMSCs loaded on collagen scaffolds have the ability to prompt the regeneration of the endometrium after injury, contributing to a better understanding of stem cell treatment for intrauterine adhesion.

Keywords: Bone mesenchymal stem cells; basic fibroblast growth factor; collagen scaffold; intrauterine adhesion.