Interleukin-4 induces expression of eotaxin in endometriotic stromal cells.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between eotaxin and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.


METHODS
Comparative and laboratory study.


METHODS
University teaching hospital reproductive endocrinology and infertility practice.


METHODS
Ectopic endometrial tissues were collected from women with endometriosis.


METHODS
Ectopic endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were isolated and cultured with IL-4. Ectopic endometriotic tissues were immunostained for eotaxin and IL-4.


METHODS
Gene expression of eotaxin was determined by standard and real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Secretion of eotaxin from ESC was measured using specific ELISA. The immunostained sections were examined.


RESULTS
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) increased mRNA expression and protein secretion of eotaxin from ESC in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that eotaxin-positive cells colocalized with IL-4-positive cells and accumulated around the blood vessels in the stroma of endometriotic tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-4 induces eotaxin in ESCs, which might promote angiogenesis and the subsequent development of endometriosis.
Ouyang
Zhuo
Z
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Osuga
Yutaka
Y
Hirota
Yasushi
Y
Hirata
Tetsuya
T
Yoshino
Osamu
O
Koga
Kaori
K
Yano
Tetsu
T
Taketani
Yuji
Y