Stem cells are isolated in womb tissue

CLAYTON, Australia, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Australian scientists have found a way of identifying probable stem cells in the lining of women’s wombs.

The finding by Monash University researchers opens the possibility of using the stem cells for tissue engineering applications, such as creating natural tissue to repair pelvic floor prolapse, a common condition that affects more than 50 percent of women after childbirth.

Lead investigator Caroline Gargett and doctoral student Kjiana Schwab identified two markers, CD146 and PDGF-RB, which they were able to use to isolate mesenchymal stem-like cells from endometrial tissue using a high speed cell sorting machine. Only 1.5 percent of the endometrial cells sorted in that manner expressed both markers and, therefore, could be MSC, the researchers said.

They then investigated the properties of the MSC to discover whether they really were stem cells and found the cells were able to produce clones to form colonies of new cells at a rate that was 15 times greater than produced by the other endometrial cells.

Furthermore, the scientists said they found MSC were able to differentiate into fat, bone, cartilage and smooth muscle cells in the culture dish.

The research is published online in the journal Human Reproduction.