Transferrin receptor (CD71) expression in peritoneal macrophages from fertile and infertile women with and without endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
Hyperactivated macrophages are implicated in the pathophysiology of endometriosis-associated infertility. This study investigates transferrin receptor expression (CD71) as a marker of hyperactivity in peritoneal macrophages of infertile patients with minimal to mild endometriosis (group 1, n = 25).


METHODS
Expression of the activation antigen CD71 on peritoneal fluid macrophages was determined by a specific monoclonal anti-CD71 antibody using indirect immunofluorescence technique and was analyzed by flow cytometry. Three different control groups of women were used: women with unexplained infertility (group 2, n = 25), fertile women with endometriosis (group 3, n = 10), and fertile women without endometriosis (group 4, n = 25).


RESULTS
The percentage of CD71 positive cells was significantly increased in infertile women with endometriosis as compared with the three control groups. There were no differences among groups 2, 3, and 4 with respect to the percentage of CD71 positive macrophages.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results favor the concept that hyperactivated macrophages play a role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis-associated subfertility, a feature which is lacking in patients with unexplained infertility.
Martínez-Román
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Spain.
Balasch
J
J
Creus
M
M
Fábregues
F
F
Carmona
F
F
Vilella
R
R
Vanrell
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000276:immunology*; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000032:analysis*
D011990:Receptors, Transferrin