menstrual blood stem cells

Menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) are adult multipotent mesenchymal stem cells derived from the endometrial lining and collected non-invasively from menstrual blood. First isolated in 2007, these cells exhibit high proliferation rates and can differentiate into various cell types including bone, muscle, nerve, and others. MenSCs express markers such as CD44, CD73, CD90, SSEA-4 and OCT-4 but are negative for hematopoietic markers like CD34. They have significant immunomodulatory properties—such as inhibiting T-lymphocyte proliferation—and show promise for allogeneic transplantation due to reduced risk of rejection[6][4]. Their therapeutic potential is being explored in regenerative medicine for conditions such as infertility (including chemotherapy-induced ovarian insufficiency), liver failure, spinal cord injury, heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke[2][4], COVID-19[8], poor ovarian response/infertility[9], and possibly endometriosis diagnosis or treatment[1]. Preclinical studies suggest they can repair damaged tissues by promoting regeneration through paracrine effects or direct differentiation. Clinical trials have demonstrated safety in humans with no major adverse effects reported so far.

Other names

menstrual stem cellsMenSCsmenstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cellsendometrial stromal mesenchymal stem cells