Endometriosis (EM) is a common benign gynecological disease with complex pathogenesis and lack of unified understanding. In recent years, the theory of stem/progenitor cells has gradually been recognized by scholars. The presence of stem/progenitor cells in the endometrium and researchers’ understanding of stem/progenitor cell specific markers has been further developed, which is of great significance for sorting stem/progenitor cells and further elucidating their roles in the pathogenesis of EM. At present, more endometrial stem cell signaling pathways have been studied including Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B, Smad/connective tissue growth factor, CXCL12/CXCR4, etc. These signaling pathways can regulate stem cell involvement in the pathogenesis of EM. Exploring how signaling pathways to regulate stem cell involvement in the pathogenesis of EM can help elucidate the specific pathogenesis of EM and provide new directions for its treatment. This paper will summarize them.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of endogenous repair strategy (ERS) in intervertebral disc (IVD).MethodsThe domestic and foreign literature related to ERS in IVD in recent years was reviewed, and its characteristics, status, and prospect in the future were summarized.ResultsThe key of ERS in IVD is to improve the vitality of stem/progenitor cells in IVD or promote its migration from stem cell Niche to the tissue that need to repair. These stem/progenitor cells in IVD are derived from nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and cartilaginous endplate, showing similar biological characteristics to mesenchymal stem cells including the expression of the specific stem/progenitor cell surface markers and gene, and also the capacity of multiple differentiations potential. However, the development, senescence, and degeneration of IVD have consumed these stem/progenitor cells, and the harsh internal microenvironment further impair their biological characteristics, which leads to the failure of endogenous repair in IVD. At present, relevant research mainly focuses on improving the biological characteristics of endogenous stem/progenitor cells, directly supplementing endogenous stem/progenitor cells, biomaterials and small molecule compounds to stimulate the endogenous repair in IVD, so as to improve the effect of endogenous repair.ConclusionAt present, ERS has gotten some achievements in the treatment of IVD degeneration, but its related studies are still in the pre-clinical stage. So further studies regarding ERS should be carried out in the future, especially in vivo experiments and clinical transformation.