RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
A1 Trebuňová, Zuzana
A1 Dosedla, Erik
A1 Živčák, Jozef
A1 Frankovský, Peter
T1 Uterine Factor Infertility: Current Therapeutic Frontiers and the Promise of Uterine Bioengineering
JF Acta Mechanica Slovaca
YR 2025
VO 29
IS 3
SP 16
OP 22
DO 10.21496/ams.2025.026
UL https://www.actamechanica.sk/artkey/ams-202503-0002.php
AB Absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI), resulting from congenital absence or non-functionality of the uterus, affects approximately 1 in 500 women of reproductive age and remains one of the most challenging forms of female infertility. While uterine transplantation has enabled successful pregnancies, it is associated with substantial limitations including donor scarcity, long-term immunosuppression, and ethical concerns. As a promising alternative, uterine tissue engineering aims to restore reproductive function using biocompatible scaffolds, often combined with stem or progenitor cells. This review summarizes current experimental and clinical evidence on scaffold-based and stem cell-driven approaches to uterine regeneration. Various cell sources have been explored, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), with MSCs emerging as the most clinically feasible due to their immunomodulatory properties and accessibility. Scaffold types range from natural biomaterials (e.g., collagen) to synthetic polymers and decellularized extracellular matrices. Recent preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate promising outcomes in regenerating endometrial tissue and restoring fertility in conditions such as Asherman's syndrome. Nonetheless, challenges remain in standardization, long-term safety, and translation to widespread clinical use. Continued multidisciplinary research and advances in 3D bioprinting and personalized regenerative strategies may soon redefine the therapeutic landscape for AUFI.