Immunologic Aspects of Human Endometriosis

Abstract

General and specific immune function were examined in women with endometriosis. Nonspecific parameters included total leukocyte and differential counts, quantitative immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM) determinations, total hemolytic complement, C3, C4, mitogen-induced lymphocyte stimulation, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing; no differences were observed when data were compared to age-matched controls without endometriosis. In contrast, the specific immune response T-lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity to autologous endometrial cells was significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) in women with endometriosis. When results from patients were analyzed according to clinical severity of endometriosis, even more striking immunologic alterations were delineated. In addition, lymphocyte stimulation responses to autologous endometrial antigen were lower in patients with severe or moderate disease, approaching statistical significance (P = 0.18 and 0.12, respectively). These studies suggest an immunologic basis for development of endometriosis.

Interleukin-12 inhibits development of ectopic endometriotic tissues in peritoneal cavity via activation of NK cells in a murine endometriosis model

“…cytotoxic T cells, there have been a few reports suggesting involvement of the cells in endometriosis. Steele et al originally reported that T-lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity specifically to autologous endometrial cells was reduced in women with endometriosis and the impaired immune system allowed ectopic growth of endometriotic lesion (Steele et al 1984). Thereafter, Ho et al reported that CD8 ?…”

Pathophysiological Changes in Early Endometriosis

“…T cells are mainly differentiated into helper T cells promoting antibody production secreted by B cells, regulatory T cells controlling immune response, and cytotoxic/suppressor T cells killing infected cells and cancer cells in the thymus. In endometriosis, it was reported that the proliferation and cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes in peripheral blood is decreased (Dmowski et al, 1981;Steele et al, 1984). Increased T cells, both helper and suppressor T cells, in peritoneal fluid and ectopic endometriotic tissue was observed in women with endometriosis (Dmowski et al, 1994;Hill et al, 1988;Mettler et al, 1996).…”

Primate Model Research for Endometriosis

“…Thus, to explain Sampson's theory, immunologic abnormalities have attracted attention worldwide. Deficient cellular immunity may result in the inability to recognize endometrial tissue in abnormal locations (Steele et al 1984). A low level of natural killer cell activity may result in decreased cytotoxicity for autologous endometrium (Oosterlynck et al 1991).…”