Could Exosomes from Menstrual Blood Help Treat Endometriosis?
A new study published in Biochemical Genetics suggests that tiny particles called exosomes, derived from menstrual blood stem cells, could one day play a role in treating endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, leading to pain, inflammation, and fertility challenges. Despite affecting millions of women worldwide, treatment options remain limited and often focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes.
Exosomes are microscopic vesicles released by cells to exchange molecular messages. They carry small RNAs, proteins, and lipids that can influence how other cells behave. In this new study, researchers explored whether exosomes from menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) could help restore healthier function in cells taken from women with endometriosis.
To do this, scientists collected stem cells from menstrual blood donated by women with and without endometriosis. They then isolated exosomes from the healthy cells and used them to treat the endometriosis-derived ones. Some exosomes were also engineered to contain miR-4289, a microRNA known to regulate inflammation and cell growth.
The results were promising. Treated cells showed reduced activity in genes linked to inflammation and tissue invasion, including IL-1β, CTNNB1 (β-catenin), and MMP9. Markers associated with abnormal growth, such as KRAS and Ki67, also decreased. Together, these changes point to a calming of the overactive cellular pathways that drive endometriotic lesion development.
Although this research is still at an early stage, it highlights how menstrual blood can be an important source of both biological insight and innovation. Using exosomes from MenSCs as natural delivery systems for therapeutic molecules could open new possibilities for non-hormonal and more targeted treatment options in the future.
The study, led by Solmaz Mahmoudi and colleagues, contributes to a growing body of work showing that menstrual blood is far more than a waste product. It holds significant potential to advance our understanding and treatment of women’s health conditions such as endometriosis.
Reference
Mahmoudi, S., Sheikholeslami, A., Roodbari, N.H. et al. Evaluating the Effect of Exosome-Encapsulated miR-4289 on Menstrual Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Endometriosis Patients. Biochem Genet (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10528-025-11265-2
