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Published on: May 23, 2014
Immunosuppressive effect of danazol on lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity toward human endometrial stromal cells
P Viganò1, A M Di Blasio, M Busacca
1II Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinica 'La Mangiagalli', University of Milan, Italy.
Insights
Danazol significantly suppresses natural killer lymphocyte activity against endometrial stromal cells in women with and without endometriosis. This drug impacts the immune system, inhibiting natural immunity toward endometrial tissue.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gynecology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus.
- Lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity plays a role in the immune response within the endometrium.
- Danazol is a medication used to treat endometriosis and other gynecological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of danazol on lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity toward endometrial stromal cells.
- To determine if danazol influences natural killer (NK) lymphocyte activity against endometrial stromal cells in women with and without endometriosis.
Main Methods:
- Stromal cells were isolated from endometrial biopsy specimens of women with and without endometriosis.
- A 51Cr release cytotoxicity assay was employed to measure NK lymphocyte lytic activity.
- Effectors (lymphocytes) were pretreated with danazol (5 x 10(-6) mol/l) for varying durations (24-72 hours).
Main Results:
- Danazol significantly suppressed spontaneous cytotoxicity against endometrial stromal cells in both groups.
- The inhibitory effect of danazol on NK cell activity was observed as early as 24 hours and increased up to 72 hours.
- These findings indicate danazol's capacity to inhibit natural immunity directed at the endometrial stromal component.
Conclusions:
- Danazol influences the immune system, specifically inhibiting natural immunity.
- The drug demonstrates an ability to suppress lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity toward endometrial stromal cells.
- These results suggest a potential mechanism for danazol's therapeutic effects in gynecological conditions involving immune responses.
Abstract:
The influence of danazol on the expression of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity toward the stromal component of the endometrium was examined. Stromal cells were isolated from endometrial biopsy specimens of nine women without endometrial pathology and 12 patients with endometriosis. A cytotoxicity assay by 51Cr release was performed to determine the effect of danazol on natural killer lymphocyte lytic activity. A significant suppression of spontaneous cytotoxicity against stromal cell targets of both study subjects was observed when effectors were pretreated for 48 h with danazol at a concentration of 5 x 10(-6) mol/l. The time-course of the danazol effect indicated that drug activity was detectable as early as 24 h after the addition of the drug and increase up to 72 h. These findings confirm that danazol may influence the immune system at many levels. In particular, they demonstrate that the drug is also able to inhibit the natural immunity toward the stromal component of the endometrium.
