title: CD11c+HLADR+ dendritic cells are present in human ovarian follicular fluid, and their maturity correlates with serum estradiol levels in response to gonadotropins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether dendritic cells (DCs), innate immune cells that specialize in initiation and modulation of immune responses, are present in ovarian follicular fluid (FF) and whether their abundance and maturation state correlate with ovarian response to gonadotropins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  IVF unit and laboratory for reproductive immunology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing IVF.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  FF was collected from the first follicle aspirated in each patient, and cellular content was analyzed by flow cytometry. DCs were defined as CD45(+)CD11c(+)HLADR(+)-cells, and the intensity of HLADR expression indicated DC maturity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CD45(+)-hematopoietic cell compartment in FFs (n = 30) contained a significant fraction of CD11c(+)HLADR(+) DCs (15.4% ± 2.9%). The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of HLADR expression, which reflects DC maturity, correlated positively with ovarian response to gondotropins, as determined by serum levels of E(2) on the day of hCG administration (r = 0.38).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DCs make up a significant fraction of hematopoietic cells in the FF. Furthermore, DC maturation correlates positively with the ovarian response to gonadotropins. It is therefore conceivable that DCs contribute to the sterile inflammatory process in the follicle that leads to ovulation.
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Hadera, Israel. ofainaru@techunix.technion.ac.il
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fainaru
authors.forename: Shay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hantisteanu
authors.forename: Nechami
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rotfarb
authors.forename: Medeia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michaeli
authors.forename: Mordechai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallak
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ellenbogen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D007557:Israel; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D039521:CD11c Antigen; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D006062:Gonadotropins; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; C516769:PTPRC protein, human