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Published on: April 3, 2017
Decreased human leukocyte antigen-DR expression in the lipid raft by peritoneal macrophages from women with
Yorito Yamamoto1, Nagamasa Maeda, Chiaki Izumiya
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Medical School, Kohasu, Oko, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan. yoritoy@med.kochi-u.ac.jp
Objective:
To investigate the macrophage response in endometriosis by determining the expression and localization of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC and HLA-DR by the peritoneal fluid (PF) macrophages and PF concentrations of interferon (IFN)-gamma that regulate HLA expression.
Design:
Case-control study.
Setting:
University hospital.
Patient(S):
64 Japanese endometriosis patients, and 65 women with other laparoscopic diagnoses.
Intervention(S):
Venipuncture and laparoscopic peritoneal fluid collection.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Expression and localization of HLA-ABC and HLA-DR in PF macrophages were determined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The concentration of IFN-gamma in PF was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Result(S):
In women with endometriosis, expression of HLA-ABC and HLA-DR by PF macrophages, and the IFN-gamma concentrations in PF were statistically significantly lower than in controls. Women with endometriosis showed a statistically significant positive correlation between HLA expression and IFN-gamma concentration. By confocal microscopy, HLA-ABC was distributed homogenously on the macrophage surface whereas HLA-DR expression on these cells corresponded to the lipid raft.
Conclusion(S):
In women with endometriosis, low HLA expression and particularly reduced HLA-DR in the lipid raft may be influenced by low IFN-gamma and may compromise antigen presentation, limiting the immune response to peritoneal cavity antigens such as implanted or metaplastic endometrial tissue.
Insights
Endometriosis patients have lower human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression on peritoneal fluid macrophages, potentially due to reduced interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). This may impair immune responses to endometrial tissue in the abdominal cavity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition.
- Macrophage dysfunction is implicated in endometriosis pathogenesis.
- Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are crucial for immune cell recognition and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and localization of HLA-ABC and HLA-DR on peritoneal fluid macrophages in women with endometriosis.
- To determine peritoneal fluid concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a regulator of HLA expression.
- To explore the relationship between HLA expression, IFN-γ levels, and endometriosis.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study involving 64 endometriosis patients and 65 controls.
- Peritoneal fluid (PF) macrophages analyzed for HLA-ABC and HLA-DR expression and localization using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.
- PF concentrations of IFN-γ measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Main Results:
- Women with endometriosis exhibited significantly lower expression of HLA-ABC and HLA-DR on PF macrophages compared to controls.
- Peritoneal fluid IFN-γ concentrations were significantly lower in endometriosis patients.
- A positive correlation was observed between HLA expression and IFN-γ levels in endometriosis patients.
Conclusions:
- Reduced HLA expression, particularly HLA-DR within lipid rafts, in endometriosis may be linked to lower IFN-γ levels.
- This compromised antigen presentation could limit the immune system's ability to recognize and clear ectopic endometrial tissue.
- Findings suggest a potential mechanism for immune dysregulation in the peritoneal cavity in endometriosis.
