Hilage Priyanka, Damle Mrunal N, Sharma Rakesh Kumar, Joshi Meghnad G
Department of Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, D.Y. Patil Education Society (Deemed to be University), Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, D.Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2025;1474:131-148. doi: 10.1007/5584_2024_826.
The human endometrium, the innermost lining of the uterus, is the anatomic prerequisite for pregnancy. It is the only dynamic tissue that undergoes more than 400 cycles of regeneration throughout the reproductive life of women. Key to this function are endometrial stem cells as well as cell adhesion molecules. Melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM/CD146/MUC18) is a membrane glycoprotein of the mucin family and a key cell adhesion protein, highly expressed by endometrial cells. CD146 is a significant molecule pivotal in endometrial physiology, assisting tissue regeneration and angiogenesis. Endometrium also acts as a culprit in causing several endometrial dysfunctions, such as endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial carcinoma, due to interrupted molecular and functional mechanisms. Though most of the endometrial dysfunctions arise as a result of endocrine disturbance, it has a major pathological role associated with angiogenesis. It has already been proven that CD146 is a potential marker for the diagnosis of angiogenic dysfunctions and malignancy, including endometrial cancer. However, its mechanistic role in causing the pathology is a mystery. This chapter explores the role of CD146 in normal and pathological endometrial conditions and the therapeutic implications of CD146.
人类子宫内膜是子宫最内层的组织，是妊娠的解剖学前提。它是唯一在女性整个生殖生命过程中经历400多次再生周期的动态组织。这种功能的关键在于子宫内膜干细胞以及细胞粘附分子。黑色素瘤细胞粘附分子（MCAM/CD146/MUC18）是粘蛋白家族的一种膜糖蛋白，是一种关键的细胞粘附蛋白，在子宫内膜细胞中高度表达。CD146是子宫内膜生理学中的一个重要分子，有助于组织再生和血管生成。由于分子和功能机制中断，子宫内膜也是导致多种子宫内膜功能障碍的罪魁祸首，如子宫内膜异位症、子宫内膜增生和子宫内膜癌。虽然大多数子宫内膜功能障碍是由内分泌紊乱引起的，但它在血管生成方面具有主要的病理作用。已经证明，CD146是诊断包括子宫内膜癌在内的血管生成功能障碍和恶性肿瘤的潜在标志物。然而，其在导致病理过程中的机制作用仍是一个谜。本章探讨了CD146在正常和病理子宫内膜状况中的作用以及CD146的治疗意义。
