The expression of human leukocyte antigens class I and II in women with endometriosis or adenomyosis.
OBJECTIVE
The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system has been implicated in the aetiology of endometriosis. We aimed to compare the HLA class I and II expression in endometrial specimens from women with endometriosis or adenomyosis.


METHODS
We studied the HLA class I and II expression in endometrial specimens from 16 women with endometriosis and 15 with adenomyosis which were compared with 15 specimens from women without endometriosis or adenomyosis. Immunohistochemistry was performed using mouse antihuman IgG2a monoclonal antibody for HLA I and IgG1 for HLA II.


RESULTS
Women with endometriosis had significantly higher HLA I and II expression in stroma (100% and 87.5% vs. 66.7% and 40%, p < 0.02 and p = 0.007, respectively) and glands (87.5% and 56.3% vs. 46.7% and 20%, p < 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively) compared to controls, while in the adenomyosis group the expression of HLA I was comparable with controls and the HLA II expression was increased in stromal cells (73.3% vs. 40%, p = 0.03) and decreased in glands (6.6% vs. 20%, p = NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Women with endometriosis had a significantly higher expression of HLA molecules whereas in adenomyosis there was a tendency of lower expression of these molecules. This could explain the suppression of cellular immunity in the peritoneal cavity.
Baka
Stavroula
S
Department of Biopathology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. sbaka@aretaieio.uoa.gr
Frangou-Plemenou
Matrona
M
Panagiotopoulou
Ekaterina
E
Makrakis
Evangelos
E
Kaltsakas
Georgios
G
Hassiakos
Dimitris
D
Kondi-Pafiti
Agatha
A
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II