Hybrid Endometrial-Derived Hydrogels: Human Organoid Culture Models and In Vivo Perspectives

Adv Healthc Mater. 2024 Apr;13(11):e2303838. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202303838. Epub 2023 Nov 27.

Abstract

The endometrium plays a vital role in fertility, providing a receptive environment for embryo implantation and development. Understanding the endometrial physiology is essential for developing new strategies to improve reproductive healthcare. Human endometrial organoids (hEOs) are emerging as powerful models for translational research and personalized medicine. However, most hEOs are cultured in a 3D microenvironment that significantly differs from the human endometrium, limiting their applicability in bioengineering. This study presents a hybrid endometrial-derived hydrogel that combines the rigidity of PuraMatrix (PM) with the natural scaffold components and interactions of a porcine decellularized endometrial extracellular matrix (EndoECM) hydrogel. This hydrogel provides outstanding support for hEO culture, enhances hEO differentiation efficiency due to its biochemical similarity with the native tissue, exhibits superior in vivo stability, and demonstrates xenogeneic biocompatibility in mice over a 2-week period. Taken together, these attributes position this hybrid endometrial-derived hydrogel as a promising biomaterial for regenerative treatments in reproductive medicine.

Keywords: bioengineering; endometrium; extracellular matrix hydrogel; organoids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Decellularized Extracellular Matrix / chemistry
  • Decellularized Extracellular Matrix / pharmacology
  • Endometrium* / cytology
  • Extracellular Matrix / chemistry
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels* / chemistry
  • Hydrogels* / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Organoids* / cytology
  • Swine
  • Tissue Engineering / methods
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Decellularized Extracellular Matrix