Increased expression of pattern recognition receptors and nitric oxide synthase in patients with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
Endometriosis is characterized by repeated inflammatory changes and serious adhesions, inducing innate and adaptive immune responses within the abdominal cavity. To assess these immune responses, we evaluated the levels of expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR)-1, -2, -4, -5, and -9; nucleotide-binding oligomerization domains (NOD)-1 and -2; interleukins-1β, -6, -8, -10, and -12; interferon-γ; tumor necrosis factor-α; inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS); and immunoglobulins (Igs) in patients with endometriosis.


METHODS
The levels of TLRs, NODs, cytokines, and NOS mRNAs in peritoneal effusions were assessed by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; and IgG, IgA and IgM concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in 40 patients with and 40 without endometriosis. Findings from the two groups were compared.


RESULTS
We observed expression of all pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), cytokines, and NOS mRNAs and Igs in the effusion fluid of patients with and without endometriosis. The levels of TLR-2 and -9; NOD-1 and -2; iNOS and eNOS mRNAs and CA 125 were significantly higher in the endometriosis than in the non-endometriosis group (p<0.05 each). Moreover, PRR, cytokine, and NOS expression showed significant correlations (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
PRRs, cytokines, and NOS, which act cooperatively in the innate immune response, are closely associated with endometriosis. Increased expression of TLR-2, TLR -9, NOD-1, NOD-2, and NOS mRNA in peritoneal fluid may be associated with endometriosis.
East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Korea.
Seung Geun
SG
Yeo
Yong Sung
YS
Won
Ho Yun
HY
Lee
Young Il
YI
Kim
Jin-Woo
JW
Lee
Dong Choon
DC
Park
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000235:genetics; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000235:genetics*; D051194:Toll-Like Receptor 1 / Q000235:genetics; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000235:genetics; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9 / Q000235:genetics
D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; C429018:NOD2 protein, human; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; D051194:Toll-Like Receptor 1; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
Endometriosis - Pattern Recognition Receptors; Immunoglobulin; Toll-like receptors - Nitric oxide synthase; cytokine