Endometrial Stromal Cells
Endometrial stromal cells are the support cells of the uterine lining, sitting under its surface layer. Progesterone acts on them each cycle. When they change into decidual cells, the lining can hold an embryo.1
These cells also carry disease. In endometriosis, stromal cells lack the progesterone receptor and show other changes, which makes them resist progesterone.2 In chronic endometritis, plasma cells sit in the stroma, and CD138 staining finds them more reliably than ordinary staining.3
The lining is tissue a clinician can look at. A number on a scan leaves the question open, so a whole-picture evaluation asks what the cells are doing.
Cited in this entry
- DeMayo FJ, Lydon JP. 90 YEARS OF PROGESTERONE: New insights into progesterone receptor signaling in the endometrium required for embryo implantation. Journal of molecular endocrinology. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31809260/
- Bulun SE, Yilmaz BD, Sison C, Miyazaki K, Bernardi L, Liu S, Kohlmeier A, Yin P, Milad M, Wei J. Endometriosis. Endocrine reviews. 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30994890/
- Kitaya K, Matsubayashi H, Yamaguchi K, Nishiyama R, Takaya Y, Ishikawa T, Yasuo T, Yamada H. Chronic Endometritis: Potential Cause of Infertility and Obstetric and Neonatal Complications. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989). 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26478517/
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
