The Role of the Immune System in the Development of Endometriosis

Monika Abramiuk1, Ewelina Grywalska2, Paulina Małkowska3,4

  • 1Department of Gynecological Oncology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland.

Cells
|July 9, 2022
PubMed

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects about 10% of women of reproductive age. It can contribute to pelvic pain, infertility or other conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, breast or ovarian cancer. Research has shown that one of the conditions for the development of endometrial lesions is the dysfunction of the immune system. It appears that immune cells, such as neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells and dendritic cells, may play a specific role in the angiogenesis, growth and invasion of endometriosis cells. Immune cells secrete cytokines and defensins that also affect the endometriosis environment. This review discusses the various components of the immune system that are involved in the formation of endometrial lesions in women.

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