2017 Volume 32 Pages 21-26
【Objectives】
In endometriosis, immunosurveyllance system is considered to plays an important role to reject ectopic endometrial implantation. We have been reported the decreased peritoneal immune response of natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages in endometriosis. The immunologic suppression is considered to be the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In this paper, we investigate the behavior of peritoneal NK cells and macrophages from women with endometriosis by time-lapse imaging system.
【Materials and methods】
Peritoneal fluids from women with endometriosis were compared to without endometriosis. We observed the peritoneal fluid samples containing the endometrial cells and surrounding immunocompetent cells obtained at laparoscopic operation by time-lapse CCD camera. Movement of immunocompetent cells is recorded and cell movement speed was calculated. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Kochi Medical School.
【Results】
During the menstruation, immunocompetent cells from women without endometriosis were cytotoxic against retrograde endometrial cells, then the endometrial cells were diminished. However, in women with endometriosis, retrograde endometrial cells were not be damaged. The movement speed of NK cells from women with endometriosis was significantly decreased compared to control. On the other hand, the movement speeds of both macrophages and lymphocytes were not significantly difference between with and without endometriosis. Conclusion: In women with endometriosis, cytotoxicity of peritoneal NK cells was decreased. Furthermore, cell movement speed was also decreased. These immunologic suppression such as decreased cytotoxicity and cell movement of NK cells in women with endometriosis may be concerning to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
