title: Possible involvement of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 in cell-cell interactions of peritoneal macrophages and endometrial stromal cells in human endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate interactions between peritoneal macrophages and endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) involved in the development of endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinicopathologic and in vitro studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Pathology, Kumamoto University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy to treat endometriosis or other benign gynecologic conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected samples of peritoneal fluid (ascites), endometrium, and endometriotic tissues. We cocultured ESCs in vitro with or without human macrophages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Macrophage phenotypes in peritoneal fluid were determined via immunostaining. Proliferation of ESCs and activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3) in cocultures were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The endometriosis group had a significantly higher total number of macrophages in ascites compared with the control group, but the ratios of CD163+ alternatively activated macrophages (M2) in the two groups did not differ significantly. Coculture with M2 macrophages significantly up-regulated ESC proliferation and Stat3 activation in ESCs in vitro. Proliferation of ESCs was suppressed after Stat3 was down-regulated by small interfering RNA. Stat3 was activated in epithelial cells and ESCs in human endometriotic lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interactions between M2 macrophages and ESCs via Stat3 activation may play an important role in the development of endometriosis.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors: Fumiko
authors: F
authors: Itoh
authors: Yoshihiro
authors: Y
authors: Komohara
authors: Kiyomi
authors: K
authors: Takaishi
authors: Rituo
authors: R
authors: Honda
authors: Hironori
authors: H
authors: Tashiro
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Kyo
authors: Hidetaka
authors: H
authors: Katabuchi
authors: Motohiro
authors: M
authors: Takeya
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human