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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Mouse Model of Surgically-induced Endometriosis by Auto-transplantation of Uterine Tissue
Published on: January 6, 2012
Rediscovering peritoneal macrophages in a murine endometriosis model
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, People's Republic of China.
Study Question:
What are the features of peritoneal macrophage subgroups and T helper cells in the development of murine endometriosis?
Summary Answer:
During the development of endometriosis in a murine model, large peritoneal macrophages (LPMs) and small peritoneal macrophages (SPMs) are polarized into M1 and M2 cells, respectively, and the proportions of T helper (Th) 1, Th17 and T regulatory (Treg) cells are increased.
What Is Known Already:
Numerous studies investigating the etiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis have focused on the polarization states of peritoneal macrophages in endometriosis models and patients, but the results are inconclusive. Further studies indicate that peritoneal macrophages are composed of two distinct subsets: LPMs and SPMs, although their roles in endometriosis are unknown.
Study Design, Size, Duration:
This study involves a prospective and randomized experiment. Fifty C57BL/6 female mice were randomly allocated to five control and five experimental groups (n = 5/group) according to the presence or absence of transplantation. The transplant periods are 0.25, 3, 14, 28 and 42 days.
Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods:
C57BL/6 mice were utilized to establish an endometriosis model by i.p. injection of allogeneic endometrial segments. Dynamic changes of peritoneal macrophage subsets and polarization profiles were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). Macrophage morphology and density were assessed by cell counting under a microscope. Dynamic changes of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells were estimated by FCM.
Main Results And The Role Of Chance:
Peritoneal macrophages are composed of two distinct subsets: LPMs and SPMs. The proportion of SPMs increased immediately after peritoneal injection of endometrial tissues, whereas LPMs showed an opposite trend. Peritoneal macrophages differentiated into both M1 and M2 macrophages. The bidirectional polarization of macrophages was caused by the inverse trends of polarization of LPMs and SPMs. Consistently, the proportions of Th1, Th17 and Treg cells were all increased in mice with endometriosis.
Large Scale Data:
N/A.
Limitations, Reasons For Caution:
In this study, detection was only performed in a murine endometriosis model. Clinical data and more intervention experiments are required in understanding the roles of LPMs and SPMs in endometriosis.
Wider Implications Of The Findings:
The dramatic changes of LPMs and SPMs in proportion and polarization profiles clarified the varying differentiation states of peritoneal macrophages. In addition, LPMs and SPMs may play different roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis in different stages of endometriosis. Therefore, the new classification should be included in future relevant basic and clinical studies on endometriosis.
Study Funding/Competing Interests:
This research was supported totally by grant 81270671 from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The authors report no conflict of interest.
Insights
In a murine endometriosis model, distinct peritoneal macrophage subsets (LPMs and SPMs) polarize into M1/M2 cells, with increased T helper cells (Th1, Th17, Treg). These changes offer insights into endometriosis pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Peritoneal macrophages, comprising large (LPMs) and small (SPMs) subsets, are implicated in endometriosis pathogenesis, but their specific roles remain unclear.
- Previous studies on peritoneal macrophage polarization in endometriosis have yielded inconclusive results.
- Understanding peritoneal macrophage dynamics and T helper cell involvement is crucial for elucidating endometriosis development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic changes in peritoneal macrophage subgroups (LPMs and SPMs) and their polarization states during murine endometriosis development.
- To analyze the alterations in T helper cell populations (Th1, Th17, Treg) in the context of endometriosis.
- To clarify the distinct roles of LPMs and SPMs in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized study involving 50 C57BL/6 mice, with an induced endometriosis model via endometrial segment injection.
- Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to dynamically evaluate peritoneal macrophage subsets, polarization profiles (M1/M2), and T helper cell populations (Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg).
- Macrophage morphology and density were assessed via microscopy and cell counting.
Main Results:
- SPM proportions increased, while LPM proportions decreased post-endometrial tissue injection, indicating distinct dynamic changes.
- Peritoneal macrophages exhibited bidirectional polarization into M1 and M2 subtypes, driven by inverse LPM and SPM polarization trends.
- Consistent increases in Th1, Th17, and Treg cell proportions were observed in mice with endometriosis.
Conclusions:
- Dramatic changes in LPM and SPM proportions and polarization profiles highlight their varying differentiation states in endometriosis.
- LPMs and SPMs may play differential roles in endometriosis pathogenesis across various disease stages.
- The distinct characteristics of LPMs and SPMs warrant their inclusion in future endometriosis research, both basic and clinical.
