Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitors and Other Endometrial Cell Types From Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Display Inflammatory and Oncogenic Potential

Context: Endometrium in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents altered gene expression indicating progesterone resistance and predisposing to reduced endometrial receptivity and endometrial cancer. Objective: We hypothesized that an altered endocrine/metabolic environment in PCOS may result in an endometrial “disease phenotype” affecting the gene expression of different endometrial cell populations, including stem cells and their differentiated progeny. Design and Setting: This was a prospective study conducted at an academic medical center. Patients and Main Outcome Measures: Proliferative-phase endometrium was obtained from 6 overweight/obese PCOS (National Institutes of Health criteria) and 6 overweight/obese controls. Microarray analysis was performed on fluorescence-activated cell sorting-isolated endometrial epithelial cells (eEPs), endothelial cells, stromal fibroblasts (eSFs), and mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs). Gene expression data were validated using microfluidic quantitative RT-PCR and immu...