Self-Assembled Peptide Hydrogels Loaded with Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Repairing Injured Endometrium and Restoring Fertility

The study explores the use of a self-assembled peptide hydrogel scaffold, IVK8-RGD, to deliver umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) for repairing injured endometrium, a major cause of infertility and recurrent miscarriage. The hydrogel, formed under physiological conditions, supports the adhesion and proliferation of UC-MSCs in a 3D environment and is injectable and adhesive to the uterus. In vivo experiments on rats with endometrial injury demonstrated that the hydrogel loaded with UC-MSCs effectively restores endometrial thickness, inhibits fibrosis, and promotes angiogenesis by activating the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway, significantly improving fertility and live birth rates. This approach shows promise in addressing clinical needs for treating recurrent miscarriage and infertility due to endometrial damage.