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Transferrin Receptor (CD71) Expression in Peritoneal Macrophages from Fertile and Infertile Women With and Without Endometriosis
Author(s) -
MartínezRomán Sergio,
Balasch Juan,
Creus Montserrat,
Fábregues Francisco,
Carmona Francisco,
Vilella Ramón,
Vanrell Juan A.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1997.tb00320.x
Subject(s) - endometriosis , transferrin receptor , infertility , unexplained infertility , peritoneal fluid , pathophysiology , transferrin , medicine , andrology , antigen , female infertility , immunology , biology , pregnancy , genetics
PROBLEM: Hyperactivated macrophages are implicated in the pathophysiology of endometriosis‐associated infertility. This study investigates transferrin receptor expression (CD71) as a marker of hyperactivity in peritoneal macrophages of infertile patients with minimal to mild endometriosis (group 1, n = 25). METHOD OF STUDY: Expression of the activation antigen CD71 on peritoneal fluid macrophages was determined by a specific monoclonal anti‐CD71 antibody using indirect immunofluorescence technique and was analyzed by flow cytometry. Three different control groups of women were used: women with unexplained infertility (group 2, n = 25), fertile women with endometriosis (group 3, n =10), and fertile women without endometriosis (group 4, n = 25). RESULTS: The percentage of CD71 positive cells was significantly increased in infertile women with endometriosis as compared with the three control groups. There were no differences among groups 2, 3, and 4 with respect to the percentage of CD71 positive macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Our results favor the concept that hyperactivated macrophages play a role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis‐associated subfertility, a feature which is lacking in patients with unexplained infertility.