Coordinated but depressed expression of human leukocyte antigen-DR, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and CD14 on peritoneal macrophages in women with pelvic endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the macrophage response in endometriosis, we determined the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and CD14 on peritoneal macrophages.


METHODS
Case-control study of immunologic markers.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Forty-five Japanese women with endometriosis were compared with 48 control subjects with other laparoscopic diagnoses.


METHODS
Venipuncture and laparoscopic peritoneal fluid (PF) collection.


METHODS
Expression of HLA-DR, ICAM-1, and CD14 on peripheral blood (PB) monocytes and PF macrophages were quantitated as mean fluorescence intensities by flow cytometry. Expression of each marker on PF macrophages was divided by that on PB monocytes, as an index of macrophage activation (macrophage activation ratio).


RESULTS
In women with endometriosis, PF macrophages showed significant positive correlations between expression of HLA-DR and ICAM-1, HLA-DR and CD14, and ICAM-1 and CD14. However, expression of individual markers on PF macrophages and their activation ratios were significantly lower than in control.


CONCLUSIONS
Coordinated but relatively low expression of HLA-DR, ICAM-1, and CD14 on PF macrophages indicates a positive but limited immune response to events in the peritoneal cavity in women with endometriosis, which may induce immune tolerance to implanted or metaplastic endometrial tissue.
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1