Anti-proliferative effect of mycobacteria, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha on primary cultures derived from endometrial stroma: possible relevance to endometriosis?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of mycobacteria and inflammatory cytokines on proliferation of endometrial stromal cells. An effect on endometrial stromal cell proliferation in vitro may suggest a similar effect on endometriotic cells in vivo.


METHODS
Primary cultures of endometrial stromal cells were grown from female volunteers. Proliferation of cells was assessed by cell counting and incorporation of tritiated thymidine after exposure to mycobacteria or inflammatory cytokines.


RESULTS
When assessed by cell counting, stromal cell growth was reduced following treatment with Connaught Bacillus of Calmette and Guérin (BCG) and Pasteur BCG: Mycobacterium smegmatis demonstrated a cytotoxic effect. Addition of the cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha at high concentrations led to a reduction in cell growth by 24 hr in two of three cell lines. A reduction in proliferation was also found when assessed by tritiated thymidine incorporation, which was statistically significant for Connaught BCG and M. smegmatis.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial stromal cells are susceptible to the anti-proliferative effects of mycobacteria. The BCG and other mycobacteria are known immunomodulators in other disease conditions. Further work is required to assess whether these in vitro effects might translate into a useful therapy for endometriosis.
Clayton
R D
RD
Applied Immunology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK. claytonrd@hotmail.com
Duffy
S R
SR
Wilkinson
N
N
Garry
R
R
Jackson
A M
AM
D002452:Cell Count; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000502:physiology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma