In vitro exploration of the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium in endometriosis treatment by targeting apoptosis and cellular migration

Abstract Background Endometriosis, a common gynecological disorder involving ectopic endometrial tissue, leads to infertility and chronic pain. Dysregulated apoptosis and abnormal cell migration are key pathological features. Given current treatment limitations, novel strategies like mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived conditioned media (CM) are explored due to their rich secretome. Objective To investigate the effects of CM from healthy menstrual blood-derived MSCs (MenSCs-CM) and human adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ADSCs-CM) on apoptosis and migration in endometriotic MenSCs. Materials and Methods This in vitro study involved the isolation of endometriotic MenSCs from infertile women (25–35 yr) via menstrual blood. Mononuclear cells were cultured to passage 3, and characterized using flow cytometry (CD29, CD44, CD73, CD105 positive; CD34, CD38, CD45 negative). CM was prepared separately from healthy donor MenSCs and ADSCs. Endometriotic MenSCs were treated with healthy MenSCs-CM and ADSCs-CM independently. Cell migration (scratch assay), apoptosis (Annexin V), and Bax mRNA levels and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (real-time polymerase chain reaction) were evaluated. Results Both ADSCs-CM and MenSCs-CM significantly increased during early and late apoptosis in endometriotic MenSCs (p < 0.001). Scratch assays showed significantly decreased MenSCs migration at 24, 48, and 72 hr (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively). Gene expression revealed significant increases in Bax mRNA (p = 0.013) and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (p = 0.044). Conclusion CM from ADSCs and MenSCs of healthy women enhances apoptosis and inhibits endometriotic MenSCs migration in vitro, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for endometriosis.