Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Expression in Mouse Endometrium During Reepithelialization and Regeneration in a Menses-Like Model

The regenerative capacity of the endometrium has been attributed to resident stem/progenitor cells. A number of stem/progenitor markers have been reported for human endometrial stem/progenitor cells; however, the lack of convenient markers in the mouse has made experimental investigation into endometrial regeneration difficult. We recently identified endometrial epithelial, endothelial, and immune cells, which express a reporter for the stem/progenitor marker, mouse telomerase reverse transcriptase (mTert). In this study, we investigate the expression pattern of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter for mTert promoter activity (mTert-GFP) in endometrial regeneration following a menses-like event. mTert-GFP expression marks subepithelial populations of T cells and mature macrophages and may play a role in immune cell regulated repair. Clusters of mTert-GFP-positive epithelial cells were identified close to areas of reepithelialization and possibly highlight a role for mTert in the repair and regeneration of the endometrial epithelium.