1. Current understanding of somatic stem cells in leiomyoma formation
Aymara Mas, Ph.D., Irene Cervello, Ph.D., Claudia Gil-Sanchis, Ph.D., Carlos Simón, M.D., Ph.D. 
Fertility and Sterility 
Volume 102, Issue 3, Pages (September 2014)
DOI: /j.fertnstert
Copyright © 2014 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

2. Figure 1
Summary of the most relevant scientific publications describing the presence of somatic stem cells (SSCs) in myometrium and leiomyomas.
Fertility and Sterility  , DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2014 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

3. Figure 2
Diagram representing the different theories involved in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomas. Tumor-initiating factors may result from genetic alterations, hereditary defects in fumarate hydratase (FH), Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD), and tuberous sclerosis 2 (TSC2), and chromosomal abnormalities such as simple rearrangements in high mobility group proteins (HMGAs) and DNA repair protein RAD51B and point mutations in complex mediator 12 (MED12) loci. Other possible initiating factors are epigenetic changes (red boxes). Both could activate signal transduction pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin or Wnt/MAPK, among others (yellow boxes). Moreover, tumor progression factors such as steroid hormones (estrogen/progesterone) or growth factors such as extracellular matrix (ECM) components, cytokines, and chemokines may be implicated (blue boxes). The putative role of stem cell transition toward tumor-initiating cells and their implication in the pathogenesis of leiomyomas might also contribute to tumor progression. Other factors involved are racial disparities, obesity, and diabetes (red box).
Fertility and Sterility  , DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2014 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions