Enhanced interleukin-4 expression in patients with endometriosis
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1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Objective:
To investigate the expression of cytokines by T-helper cells type 1 (interleukin [IL]-2 and interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma]) and type 2 (IL-4 and IL-10) in peripheral blood monocytes and peritoneal fluid (PF) cells from patients with endometriosis.
Design:
Peripheral blood (PB) monocytes and PF cells from patients with endometriosis were isolated and the expression of cytokines investigated.
Setting:
Institute for the treatment of endometriosis and research institute in university-based medical center.
Patient(S):
The study included 7 women with normal pelvic structure, 36 patients with endometriosis, and 7 women with pelvic adhesion but without apparent endometriotic lesion. The existence and severity of endometriosis was determined by laparoscopic examination.
Intervention(S):
All patients received laparoscopic operation to identify the existence and stages of endometriosis. Danazol (200 mg, twice daily) was prescribed for those with endometriosis.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Transcription of cytokines were directly analyzed using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. The concentrations of cytokines in peritoneal fluids and sera were analyzed by the ELISA.
Result(S):
Levels of IL-4 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in the PB and peritoneal cells of patients with endometriosis were higher than those of normal patients, whereas levels of IFN-gamma mRNA and protein were suppressed. There were no significant changes in the mRNA or protein levels of IL-2 or IL-10 in both peritoneal fluids and sera. The level of IL-4 was reduced to normal after combined treatment with laparoscopic surgery and danazol. The secretion of IFN-gamma was elevated after treatment.
Conclusion(S):
Cytokine secretion by T-helper cells type 1 and type 2 is altered in women with endometriosis, suggesting that these T-helper subsets play a role in the immunologic responses to endometriosis.