165specific markers such as cardiac troponin and alpha-actinin. Transplanted cells were
also able to restore cardiac function and significantly reduced the infarct area.
Interestingly, the cardiomyogenic differentiation potential of EnSCs was observed
to be higher when compared to bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSCs) [ 45 ]. This
would possibly be due to the high angiogenic potential of EnSCs.
Homing of uterine stem cells to the infarcted heart was shown in murine [ 53 ] and
rat models of myocardial infarction (MI) [ 54 ]. Ludke et al. demonstrated homing of
uterine SCs to the myocardium in mouse models of myocardial infarction. The
study showed that allogenic transplantation of uterine stem cells by intramyocardial
injection resulted in significant improvement of myocardial function with compa-
rable regenerative efficiency to syngenic bone marrow cell transplantation. Further,
there was limited recruitment of CD4 and CD8 cells to the myocardial site suggest-
ing the immunosuppressive properties of uterine SCs. Additionally, these cells
exhibited significantly higher angiogenic potential that favoured the neovascularisa-
tion process, effectively aiding to healing of the infarct tissue.
In a study by Xaymardan et al., creation of MI in hysterectomised rats by coro-
nary ligation post 7 days of heterotopic transplantation of uterus from GFP rats,
resulted in detection of GFP (+) cells in the recipient hearts [ 54 ]. These cells were
found to be present 7 days post MI and persisted for 6 months. Intravenous delivery
of GFP + uterine cells immediately after MI also resulted in successful homing of
injected cells to the injured myocardium. These cells were able to home to the
injured myocardium, enhance tissue repair, and prevent cardiac dysfunction [ 54 ].
10.7.4 Neural Regeneration
Cell based restorative treatments for neural regeneration has gained importance
over recent years and increasing data has shown promise and strong evidences for
use of such means in managing CNS diseases [ 50 , 55 ]. Several studies demon-
strated that EnSCs have potential for neuronal differentiation. Differentiation of
EnSCs to neurons is largely aided by the use of biocompatible and biodegradable
nanofibrous scaffolds [ 46 , 47 ], fibrin gels [ 48 ] and external growth factors such as
NGF (nerve growth factor) and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) [ 49 ]. EnSC
differentiated neuronal cells expressed markers for neuronal regeneration such as
beta-tubulin III, islet-1, neurofilament-H (NF-H), HB9, Pax6, and choactase.
Comparative studies showed that expression of these neuronal markers were
higher in EnSC differentiated cells when compared to bone marrow MSC differ-
entiated neuronal cells [ 47 ]. EnSCs have shown promise in treating a variety of
neurodegenerative conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and parkinson’s
disease.
10 Uterine Stem Cells and Their Future Therapeutic Potential in Regenerative Medicine