Repair and regeneration of the human endometrium

The human endometrium has the unique capacity to repeatedly repair and regenerate throughout a woman’s reproductive life. Aberrations in this highly coordinated sequence of cyclical injury and repair leads to menstrual disorders. However, mechanisms controlling endometrial repair and regeneration are yet to be fully elucidated. This review provides an overview of the processes involved in endometrial repair after menstruation, including inflammation, its resolution, tissue formation and remodeling. Angiogenesis is fundamental for all these processes and this article examines the research available to date into the control of endometrial angiogenesis. In addition, evidence is mounting for the existence of endometrial progenitor cells, providing an attractive mechanism for rapid repair. Increased understanding of endometrial repair and regeneration will reveal new therapeutic targets for menstrual disorders and may be transferable to pathology in other sites in the body.