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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity
Published on: August 9, 2017
Leukocyte subpopulations and natural killer activity in endometriosis
K Iwasaki1, T Makino, T Maruyama
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Japan.
Insights
Endometriosis is linked to altered cell-mediated immunity. Specifically, women with endometriosis showed increased suppressor T-cells and decreased cytotoxic T-cells and NK cell activity, suggesting a role in disease development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Endometriosis is a condition affecting women of reproductive age.
- The role of cell-mediated immunity in endometriosis pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cell-mediated immunity in women with endometriosis.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze lymphocyte subsets in peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood.
- Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity was measured using a 51Cr release assay.
Main Results:
- Women with endometriosis had significantly increased suppressor T-cells and decreased cytotoxic T-cells in both fluid and blood.
- Reduced NK cell activity was observed in the peripheral blood of endometriosis patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Alterations in cell-mediated immunity are associated with endometriosis.
- These immune changes may play a role in the development of endometriosis.
Objective:
To evaluate cell-mediated immunity in endometriosis.
Design:
Peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood samples from 19 women with macroscopic evidence of endometriosis and 26 controls were submitted to 2-color flow cytometric analysis to assess lymphocyte subsets, using various combinations of monoclonal antibodies. K562 cells were used in a routine assay by 51Cr release to measure the cytotoxicity of NK cells in the subjects' peripheral blood.
Results:
Suppressor T-cells were significantly increased and cytotoxic T-cells significantly decreased in both peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood of the women with endometriosis. NK activity in peripheral blood was decreased in endometriosis patients as compared with controls.
Conclusion:
An alteration in cell-mediated immunity may be among the pathogenetic, or developing, factors in endometriosis.
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