Generation and Characterization of Rat Uterus Organoids from Rat Endometrial Epithelial Stem Cells.

Abstract

Endometrial organoids offer valuable insights into the development and pathophysiology of endometrial diseases and serve as platforms for drug testing. While human and mouse endometrial organoids have been developed, research on rat endometrial organoids remains limited. Given that rats can better simulate certain endometrial pathologies, such as intrauterine adhesions, this study aimed to establish rat endometrial organoids. We present a detailed protocol for the isolation and culture of rat endometrial epithelial stem cells (reESCs) and the generation of rat endometrial organoids. Using a refined reESCs expansion medium, we successfully isolated and stably expanded reESCs, demonstrating their long-term culture potential. The reESC-generated organoids exhibited typical structural and functional characteristics of the endometrium, including hormone responsiveness. Our results showed that rat endometrial organoids could be cultured over a long term with stable proliferation, maintaining the glandular structure, cell polarity, and functional characteristics of the endometrial epithelium. This novel rat-derived endometrial organoid model provides a valuable platform for studying endometrial diseases and testing therapeutic interventions, with potential applications across various mammalian species.