Lead researcher
Dr James Deane
Main finding
This study identified a new marker for a rare population of adult stem cells in the regenerative lining of the uterus in mice. This marker, telomerase has the ability to maintain telomeres, which prevent the ageing process in these master cells.
Centre
The Ritchie Centre
Research group
Endometrial Stem Cell Biology
Journal and article title
Molecular Human Reproduction
The mouse endometrium contains epithelial, endothelial and leucocyte populations expressing the stem cell marker telomerase reverse transcriptase.
Most surprising
Many mature white blood cells derived from the bone marrow and present in the uterus also contained telomerase and could be confused with the stem cells.
Future implications
Identifying markers of mouse uterine lining stem cells may be applicable to humans where these cells are likely to have roles in the function of the uterine lining, infertility and diseases such as endometriosis.
Disease/health impact
fertility, endometriosis
