a, Top: direct visualization of a normal uterine cavity and a normal endometrium during hysteroscopy. Bottom: obliteration of the uterine cavity caused by dense fibrotic bands replacing normal endometrium seen in Asherman’s syndrome. b, Imaging mass cytometry pictures demonstrating pancytokeratin staining in glandular epithelium, alongside type 1 collagen and Ki-67 staining in sections taken from endometrial biopsies at different stages of the menstrual cycle in healthy controls. Credit: Nature Immunology (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41590-026-02651-y
University of Manchester scientists have uncovered a hidden role for immune cells in the womb, opening the door to new treatments for infertility, miscarriage and other reproductive conditions that affect millions of women worldwide. The findings are a breakthrough in our understanding of women's reproductive biology, one of the most underresearched areas of medicine, despite infertility and pregnancy complications affecting millions of families.
The researchers hope their results will accelerate efforts to develop targeted therapies for a range of conditions in urgent need of advancement, including recurrent miscarriage, IVF implantation failure, uterine fibrosis (scarring) and noncancerous growths in the womb called fibroids. Using mouse models and samples from women, they found that specialized white blood cells called monocytes play a vital role in keeping the uterus healthy throughout the menstrual cycle.
