Human leukocyte antigen expression by peritoneal macrophages from women with pelvic endometriosis is depressed but coordinated with costimulatory molecule expression.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the macrophage response in endometriosis, we determined expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC, HLA-DR, and their costimulatory molecules by peritoneal fluid (PF) macrophages.


METHODS
Case-control study of immunologic markers.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
We compared 38 Japanese women with endometriosis with 59 control subjects who were given other laparoscopic diagnoses.


METHODS
Venipuncture and laparoscopic peritoneal fluid collection.


METHODS
Expression of HLA-ABC, HLA-DR, CD54, CD40, CD58, CD80, and CD86 by peripheral blood (PB) monocytes and PF macrophages was 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-ABC and other costimulatory molecules and also between HLA-DR and their costimulatory molecules. However, expression of HLA-ABC and DR by PF macrophages, and also their activation ratios, were significantly lower than in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Coordination with costimulatory molecules but relatively low expression of HLA-ABC and HLA-DR indicates a positive but limited immune response (antigen presentation) to events in the peritoneal cavity in women with endometriosis. This may induce immune tolerance to implanted or metaplastic endometrial tissue.
Kusume
Tomoaki
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Medical School, Kohasu, Oko, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505, Japan. kusumet@pop07.odn.ne.jp
Maeda
Nagamasa
N
Izumiya
Chiaki
C
Yamamoto
Yorito
Y
Hayashi
Kazutoshi
K
Oguri
Hiroyoshi
H
Nishimori
Yoshiko
Y
Fukaya
Takao
T
D000328:Adult; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D018968:CD58 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000378:metabolism*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D015415:Biomarkers; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D018968:CD58 Antigens; C497964:CD86 protein, human; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1