Lucie van den Berg, Medical reporter, Herald Sun
December 31, 2017
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/scientists-breakthrough-finding-may-relieve-endometriosis-pain/news-story/0e8cc4f0c142a37090c906822b3e565d
MELBOURNE scientists have discovered a new way to find a crucial stem cell in the lining of a woman’s womb.
The world-first finding will drive desperately needed research into endometriosis, a common health condition in which cells that line the uterus are found in other parts of the body, causing pelvic and back pain, difficult menstrual cycles, and infertility.
One in 10 women of reproductive age suffers it, many in silence thanks to a lack of awareness about how painful and debilitating it can be.
Professor Caroline Gargett and her team at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research found a marker for a type of adult stem cell in the uterus. The marker is a protein that is expressed by the endometrial epithelial progenitor cells.
Professor Caroline Gargett examines endometrial cells in the laboratory at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research. Picture: Janine Eastgate
“I think this is a breakthrough … we know exactly where these cells are, we can isolate them and study them,” said Prof Gargett, who heads the endometrial stem cell biology research group at The Ritchie Centre. “We think these stem cells are being abnormally shed in the pelvic cavity, causing this difficult and painful condition.”
The cells are important in growing the glands in the endometrium each month, which help feed an embryo in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy before the placenta takes over.
The discovery was made using endometrial tissue samples from 74 women. The research was published in the journal,Human Reproduction.
An Australian study estimated the cost of endometriosis to be $7.7 billion a year from lost productivity and healthcare expenditure.
lucie.vandenberg@news.com.au
@Lucie_VDB
December 31, 2017
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/scientists-breakthrough-finding-may-relieve-endometriosis-pain/news-story/0e8cc4f0c142a37090c906822b3e565d
MELBOURNE scientists have discovered a new way to find a crucial stem cell in the lining of a woman’s womb.
The world-first finding will drive desperately needed research into endometriosis, a common health condition in which cells that line the uterus are found in other parts of the body, causing pelvic and back pain, difficult menstrual cycles, and infertility.
One in 10 women of reproductive age suffers it, many in silence thanks to a lack of awareness about how painful and debilitating it can be.
Professor Caroline Gargett and her team at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research found a marker for a type of adult stem cell in the uterus. The marker is a protein that is expressed by the endometrial epithelial progenitor cells.
Professor Caroline Gargett examines endometrial cells in the laboratory at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research. Picture: Janine Eastgate
“I think this is a breakthrough … we know exactly where these cells are, we can isolate them and study them,” said Prof Gargett, who heads the endometrial stem cell biology research group at The Ritchie Centre. “We think these stem cells are being abnormally shed in the pelvic cavity, causing this difficult and painful condition.”
The cells are important in growing the glands in the endometrium each month, which help feed an embryo in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy before the placenta takes over.
The discovery was made using endometrial tissue samples from 74 women. The research was published in the journal,Human Reproduction.
An Australian study estimated the cost of endometriosis to be $7.7 billion a year from lost productivity and healthcare expenditure.
lucie.vandenberg@news.com.au
@Lucie_VDB