Somatic Stem Cells in Leiomyomas?
Condition: Leiomyomas
MeSH terms: Leiomyoma; Myofibroma
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to identify and characterize the Somatic Stem Cell (SSC)
      responsible for the formation and growth of leiomyomas using the Side Population method.
    

Detailed description: 
      The organ of interest in our study is the myometrium, a muscle layer of the uterus located
      between the perimetry and the endometrium.

      The investigators try to identify, locate and characterize the myometrial stem cell
      population in the uterine fibroids by isolation of "Side Population" by flow cytometry. Once
      the investigators achieve the purposes to set out, the investigators would try to maintain
      "in vitro" stem cell population isolated from myometrial fibroids, for further endocrine
      characterization. Finally, the investigators would try to induce the formation of fibroids in
      murine models as a first step to demonstrate that the origin of these formations is due to
      the abnormal proliferation of myometrial adult stem cells. The results of this study will
      allow the identification of the cell population in the fibroids. The investigators also can
      being able to compare with the myometrium in order to establish a relationship that helps us
      to understand more about the pathophysiology of this disease, using these stem cells as
      targets therapy in the treatment of this myometrium condition.
    

Intervention name(s): Laparoscopic myomectomy. Following analysis and proliferation of cells isolated from removed human leiomyoma.
Intervention type(s): Genetic
Intervention description(s): Obtention of one part of removed human leiomyoma after surgery and maintained in 4ºC until procedures.
Sample digestion through controlled enzymes.
Isolated the "Side Population" from leiomyoma cell suspension by Flow cytometry .
Culture of these cells.
Morphological and genetic characterization.
Assessment of pluripotent potential from isolated cells.
Analysis of the degree of functionality.
Observational model: Case-Only
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Female patients from 20 years and older undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy for symptomatic
        uterine fibroids.
      
Biospecimen description: 
      PHASE 1:SAMPLE COLLECTION Duration: From the first month to 36th month approximately. PHASE
      2: CELL PREPARATION PROTOCOL Duration: From the first month to 12th month PHASE 3: ISOLATION
      OF PUTATIVE SOMATIC STEM CELLS Duration: From the third month (March 2010) to 12th month
      PHASE 4: CELL CULTURE Duration: From the sixth month to 18th month PHASE 5: ENDOCRINE
      CHARACTERIZATION Duration:From the 18th month to 36th month Biospecimen Retention Samples
      With DNA - samples retained, with potential for extraction of DNA from at least one of the
      types of samples retained (e.g., frozen tissue, whole blood) Biospecimen Description Samples
      of human leiomyomas obtained from patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids.
    
Keywords: Uterine fibroids; somatic stem cell; Side Population