Stem cell activation in organ culture reveals novel transcriptional programs underlying metabolic, fibrotic, vascular, and immune dysregulation in uterine leiomyomas

Background and Objective: -mutant leiomyoma stem cells during long-term organ culture. Results: factor, and broad upregulation of integrins. Differential expression of multiple HOX genes further distinguished ECM regulation between tissues. From niche survival to pro-fibrotic expansion, the study delineates checkpoints primed for intervention, highlighting potential therapeutic opportunities targeting profibrotic signaling, metabolic dependencies, and integrin-mediated ECM interactions. Conclusion: Long-term organ culture recapitulates key molecular features of fibroids and reveals tissue-specific mechanisms governing stem cell activation and differentiation. These findings identify potential therapeutic opportunities and establish long-term organ culture as a robust, physiologically relevant platform for investigating normal and tumor biology.