Stem Cells at the Maternal-Fetal Interface: From Development to Disease

Interactions at the site of embryo implantation between endometrial cells of the uterus and placental cells that surround the embryo are critical to the establishment of a healthy pregnancy and subsequent fetal development during gestation. Underlying this is the necessity for proper endometrial and placental organ development, maintenance, and function. Stem cells are important for both endometrial and placental development to result in a functional organ. Conversely, when mutated or dysregulated, and in scarcity or abundance, stem cells can play a significant role in disease or dysfunction of the endometrium and placenta. Such consequences of abnormal stem/progenitor cell activity may include endometriosis, endometrial cancer, and thin endometrium or impaired implantation and invasion which can lead to implantation failure or shallow invasion-related disorders including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.

The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together a collection of papers that improves our understanding of the role of stem/progenitor cells in the endometrium and placenta that function in the development (or regeneration) of the respective organ and diseases/dysfunctions associated with abnormal cell activity. Insights into stem/progenitor cell function in development will aid in understanding abnormal activity and contribution to diseases.

We welcome the submission of manuscripts including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Identification and characterization of cells involved in prenatal and postnatal endometrial development (both mesenchyme and epithelium) and regeneration (menstrual and postpartum).

- Mullerian duct development

- Differentiation of mesenchyme into stroma and myometrium during postnatal development

- Differentiation of epithelium into glandular and luminal epithelia during postnatal development

- Regeneration of stroma in the adult

- Regeneration of the glandular and luminal epithelium in the adult

• Endometrial stem/progenitor cell niche and factors that regulate stem/progenitor cell function

• Consequences of mutated/dysregulated endometrial stem/progenitor cells on endometrial development and function in the adult

• Consequences of mutated/dysregulated endometrial stem/progenitor cells on endometrial diseases including endometriosis, endometrial cancer, adenomyosis, thin endometrium, etc.

• Mechanisms regulating trophoblast stem cell differentiation towards the syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblast

• Characterization of placental mesenchymal stem cells in the pathogenesis or treatment of preeclampsia

• Stem cell-based models of trophoblast development or disorder

Keywords: Endometrial stem/progenitor cells, Trophoblast stem cells, Placental mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells, Mullerian duct development, Adenogenesis, Endometrial regeneration, Stem cell dysfunction

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.