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Suppression of macrophage activation by peritoneal fluid from patients with endometriosis
S Takeshita1, K Dobashi, S Abe
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
To investigate the effects of peritoneal fluid from patients with endometriosis on mouse peritoneal macrophages (Mphi), peritoneal fluid from endometriosis patients (n = 15) were added to a monolayer of C3H/HeJ mouse peritoneal Mphi. Tumor necrosis factor-producing activity was measured by the L929 assay activated with FK-23 (a preparation of heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis). Tumor necrosis factor-producing activity of C3H/HeJ mouse peritoneal Mphi incubated with peritoneal fluid was suppressed in 14 endometriosis patients. Interestingly, in nine endometriosis patients, tumor necrosis factor-producing activity was much lower than seen with mouse peritoneal Mphi incubated with corticosterone. Peritoneal fluid contains suppressive properties for the activation of peritoneal Mphi, which might allow the implantation of free endometrial cells or the metaplastic phenomena stimulated by retrograde menstruation.
Insights
Peritoneal fluid from endometriosis patients suppresses the activation of mouse macrophages. This finding suggests a mechanism that may facilitate endometrial cell implantation in endometriosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus.
- The role of peritoneal fluid and its components in endometriosis pathogenesis is not fully understood.
- Macrophages are key immune cells in the peritoneal cavity, involved in immune surveillance and tissue remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of peritoneal fluid from endometriosis patients on the activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages.
- To investigate whether peritoneal fluid possesses immunosuppressive properties relevant to endometriosis.
Main Methods:
- Peritoneal fluid was collected from 15 endometriosis patients.
- Mouse peritoneal macrophages (Mphi) were incubated with patient peritoneal fluid.
- Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-producing activity of Mphi was measured using the L929 assay with FK-23 stimulation.
Main Results:
- Peritoneal fluid from 14 out of 15 endometriosis patients suppressed TNF production by mouse Mphi.
- In nine patients, this suppression was more pronounced than that induced by corticosterone.
- These results indicate that peritoneal fluid from endometriosis patients contains suppressive factors for macrophage activation.
Conclusions:
- Endometriotic peritoneal fluid exhibits immunosuppressive properties against macrophage activation.
- This suppression may contribute to the survival and implantation of ectopic endometrial cells.
- The findings suggest a potential mechanism for the establishment and progression of endometriosis.