Identification and characterisation of cells with high proliferative potential in human endometrium

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/284344

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

Each month when the uterine lining does not receive an implanting embryo, this lining is shed as part of the menstrual process. It is rapidly replaced with a new functional lining that grows from the basal layer that remains. In post menopausal women, who only have the thin basal layer of the uterine lining, there is rapid regeneration of the lining when they commence hormone replacement therapy. Despite this remarkable regenerative capacity of the uterine lining, nothing is known about the precursor cells responsible for its cyclical growth. Our preliminary studies have shown that the human uterine lining contains a rare population of cells with high proliferative capacity. This project will identify, characterize and locate these precursor cells in the human uterine lining. It also aims to obtain information on how these precursor cells function in regenerating the uterine lining, how they interact with sex hormones and how their proliferative activity is regulated. Information generated from this project will provide significant new insight into the functioning of the uterine lining. It also has immediate application to common gynaecological diseases associated with abnormal growth of the uterine lining, such as endometriosis, a disease which affects 10% of reproductive age women causing pain and infertility. A better understanding of how these precursor cells may be involved in endometriosis and other gynaecological diseases may ultimately lead to the development of improved medical treatments rather than surgical intervention, which is currently the main form of treatment.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2004

End Date: 01-01-2006

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $409,575.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Obstetrics And Gynaecology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

clonogenic assay | endometrial cancer | endometriosis | endometrium | estrogen action | gynaecology | menstruation | tissue regeneration | uterus | women's health

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