The endometrium is a remarkable, resilient, hormone-dependent tissue that prepares each month for the arrival of a blastocyst and the subsequent establishment of pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, endometrial tissue surrounding the uterine cavity breaks down releasing tissue fragments, blood, and fluid into the lumen during menstruation. The appearance of 'blood' in the vagina is the hallmark of menstruation, and in a modern society with low birth rate, may occur 400 times during a woman's fertile, reproductive life. Menstruation only occurs in a few species, and is linked to terminal differentiation of stromal cells (decidualization) in response to ovarian steroids. During menstruation the endometrium resembles a bloody wound with a strong inflammatory response. The endometrium is almost unique amongst adult tissues in the rapid resolution of inflammation and restoration of the surface without forming a scar or fibrotic response.
The appearance of blood in vaginal fluids is one that has been linked to many societal and religious taboos and many commentators argue that it this has contributed to lack of funding to develop therapies for menstrual disorders. There are still large gaps in our knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate menstruation and how their dysregulation contributes to pathologies such as heavy menstrual bleeding that have a huge impact on the quality of life of women.
This Research Topic will bring together a unique set of papers by leading experts in the field to demonstrate how new insights gained from a combination of patient data, model species and robust methodology have unlocked our understanding of mechanisms that underpin endometrial breakdown and repair and led to novel therapeutic opportunities.
Authors are welcomed to submit Reviews or Original Research with the inclusion of high quality figures, the identification of gaps in the knowledge, and the direction of future research particularly encouraged.
Dr. Cousins reports receiving research funding from the CASS Foundation.
The endometrium is a remarkable, resilient, hormone-dependent tissue that prepares each month for the arrival of a blastocyst and the subsequent establishment of pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, endometrial tissue surrounding the uterine cavity breaks down releasing tissue fragments, blood, and fluid into the lumen during menstruation. The appearance of 'blood' in the vagina is the hallmark of menstruation, and in a modern society with low birth rate, may occur 400 times during a woman's fertile, reproductive life. Menstruation only occurs in a few species, and is linked to terminal differentiation of stromal cells (decidualization) in response to ovarian steroids. During menstruation the endometrium resembles a bloody wound with a strong inflammatory response. The endometrium is almost unique amongst adult tissues in the rapid resolution of inflammation and restoration of the surface without forming a scar or fibrotic response.
The appearance of blood in vaginal fluids is one that has been linked to many societal and religious taboos and many commentators argue that it this has contributed to lack of funding to develop therapies for menstrual disorders. There are still large gaps in our knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate menstruation and how their dysregulation contributes to pathologies such as heavy menstrual bleeding that have a huge impact on the quality of life of women.
This Research Topic will bring together a unique set of papers by leading experts in the field to demonstrate how new insights gained from a combination of patient data, model species and robust methodology have unlocked our understanding of mechanisms that underpin endometrial breakdown and repair and led to novel therapeutic opportunities.
Authors are welcomed to submit Reviews or Original Research with the inclusion of high quality figures, the identification of gaps in the knowledge, and the direction of future research particularly encouraged.
Dr. Cousins reports receiving research funding from the CASS Foundation.
