A novel hydrogel may be a beacon of hope for infertility and fertility challenges

Date:
July 3, 2023
Source:
Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)
Summary:
New research leads to the development of a hydrogel for endometrial
regeneration.


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FULL STORY ==========================================================================
The Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service revealed that over
the last year, more than 370,000 Koreans sought medical help for
infertility or difficulties in conceiving. This represents a 4.7 percent increase in infertility-related treatments and a 16 percent rise in subfertility-related treatments compared to the 2018 data. Korea's birth
rate may be declining, but an increasing number of people are seeking
medical attention for these issues.

These conditions may stem from numerous factors, so an accurate
determination of the cause is crucial. Both the individual's gender and
the nature of the problem must be taken into account before deciding on
the appropriate treatment.

A healthy endometrium plays a pivotal role in successful pregnancies. A
thin endometrium reduces the likelihood of effective embryo implantation,
with a high chance of subsequent miscarriage -- a significant contributing factor to female infertility. Current treatment approaches, such as
hormone therapy and endometrial injections, have shown limited success. A
joint research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology
(POSTECH, President Moo Hwan Kim) and CHA University, took one step
closer to personalized treatment by developing a gel that mimics the environment of uterine cells, inducing endometrial regeneration and
elucidating its mechanism.

The team, led by Professor Dong-Woo Cho from Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor Jinah Jang from the Department of Mechanical
Engineering and the Department of Convergence IT Engineering, PhD
student Tugce Sen from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at
POSTECH in collaboration with Professor Youn-Jung Kang and Dr. Jungho
Ahn from the Department of Biochemistry at the School of Medicine and
PhD student Danbi Lee from the Department of Biomedical Science at the
School of Life Science, CHA University, developed a hydrogel using a uterus-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (UdECM).

Their study demonstrated that this hydrogel could regenerate the
endometrium, and for the first time, revealed the mechanism controlling
this process. The research has been published in Advanced Functional
Materials.

Decellularized extracellular matrices (dECMs) are assemblies of
biomolecules, with cellular components such as the nucleus and
cell membranes removed. These matrices closely resemble the in vivo environment, so they are used in regeneration and transplantation of
tissue and organs such as the heart and kidneys. They are also employed
in tissue fabrication through 3D printing.

The team developed a hydrogel based on UdECMs, with characteristics from
two different tissues: the entire uterine tissue and a specific layer of
the endometrium. The protein composition of the hydrogel closely resembled
the actual endometrial components and was tested in animal models to
verify its effectiveness. When injected, the hydrogel was found to induce
the recovery of the endometrial thickness in mice, creating a favorable environment for embryo implantation. As a biomaterial, the hydrogel has
low cytotoxicity, ensuring a 90% survival rate of implanted embryos.

The research team further discovered the involvement of insulin-like
growth factor (IGF1) and insulin growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP3) in endometrial regeneration. This discovery provides a platform for research
on endometrial regeneration going forward. In addition, depending on
the tissue from which the hydrogel is made, such as the endometrium
and muscles, the team confirmed therapeutic effects against various
conditions such as intrauterine adhesions and repeated implantation
failures. This opens the way for personalized treatments based on the
state of the patient's endometrium.

Professor Dong-Woo Cho, who led the research, is optimistic about their research potential, stating "We have successfully developed a uterine
tissue- specific hydrogel for endometrial regeneration and successful pregnancy. I am hopeful that further research into its clinical
application can bring hope to patients grappling with infertility."
This research was conducted with the support of the Mid-Career Research
Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Korean Fund
for Regenerative Medicine funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and
the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

* RELATED_TOPICS
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========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Jungho Ahn, Tugce Sen, Danbi Lee, Hyeonji Kim, Jae Yeon Lee,
Hwa Seon
Koo, Jae Yun Kim, Jisoo Kim, Jinah Jang, Youn‐Jung
Kang, Dong‐Woo Cho. Uterus‐Derived Decellularized
Extracellular Matrix‐Mediated Endometrial Regeneration and
Fertility Enhancement.

Advanced Functional Materials, 2023; DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202214291 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230703133023.htm

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