Marked elevation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis
Rouslan Kats1, Tina Collette, Christine N Metz
1Laboratoire d'endocrinologie de la Reproduction, Centre de Recherche, Pavillon Saint-François d'Assise, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Objective:
To evaluate the presence of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the peritoneal fluid of normal fertile women and patients with endometriosis and its growth-promoting activity toward human endothelial cells.
Design:
Retrospective study using ELISA to measure peritoneal fluid MIF, and [3H]-thymidine incorporation into the DNA of human endothelial cells to assess its mitogenic activity.
Setting:
Gynecology clinic and human reproduction research laboratory.
Patient(S):
Thirty-six healthy women and 57 women with endometriosis.
Intervention(S):
Peritoneal fluid samples were obtained at laparoscopy.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor concentrations in the peritoneal fluid samples and [3H]-thymidine incorporation into the DNA of human microvascular endothelial cells to assess proliferation.
Result(S):
This study demonstrated the presence of MIF in the peritoneal fluid and a 238% increase of MIF levels in women with endometriosis as compared with healthy women. Both fertile and infertile women with endometriosis had significantly higher MIF concentrations than did fertile women with normal gynecological status, but the difference was more significant in infertile endometriosis patients. Anti-MIF antibody significantly inhibited proliferation of human microvascular endothelial cells in response to peritoneal fluids from healthy women and women with endometriosis stages I-II and III-IV, as assessed by [3H]-thymidine incorporation.
Conclusion(S):
This study revealed the presence of MIF in the peritoneal fluid and its increased levels in endometriosis and suggests that MIF may be involved in endometriosis-associated infertility and angiogenesis.
Insights
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is present in peritoneal fluid, with significantly higher levels in women with endometriosis. MIF promotes endothelial cell growth, suggesting a role in endometriosis-associated infertility and angiogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Immunology
- Cell biology
Background:
- Endometriosis is a condition affecting reproductive-aged women.
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine with known roles in inflammation and cell proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and levels of MIF in peritoneal fluid of women with and without endometriosis.
- To assess the effect of peritoneal fluid MIF on human endothelial cell proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study involving 36 healthy women and 57 women with endometriosis.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify peritoneal fluid MIF.
- [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay to measure endothelial cell proliferation.
Main Results:
- MIF was detected in peritoneal fluid; levels were 238% higher in women with endometriosis compared to healthy controls.
- Significantly elevated MIF concentrations were observed in both fertile and infertile women with endometriosis.
- Anti-MIF antibody inhibited endothelial cell proliferation induced by peritoneal fluids from women with and without endometriosis.
Conclusions:
- MIF is present in peritoneal fluid and its levels are increased in endometriosis.
- MIF may contribute to endometriosis-associated infertility and the process of angiogenesis.
