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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Abnormal Pattern of Lymphocyte Subpopulations in the Endometrium of Infertile Women with Chronic Endometritis
Author(s) -
Matteo Maria,
Cicinelli Ettore,
Greco Pantaleo,
Massenzio Francesca,
Baldini Domenico,
Falagario Teresa,
Rosenberg Piergiorgio,
Castellana Laura,
Specchia Giorgina,
Liso Arcangelo
Publication year - 2009
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.1600-0897.2009.00698.x
Subject(s) - endometritis , endometrium , infertility , lymphocyte , gynecology , medicine , andrology , physiology , biology , immunology , obstetrics , pregnancy , genetics
Problem Endometrial lymphocytes play a critical role in endometrial receptivity. This study aimed at evaluating the variations induced by chronic endometritis (CE) on endometrial lymphocyte subsets. We compared the results in infertile women diagnosed with CE with those in unexplained infertile women without any sign of CE. Method of study Twenty‐three women referring for unexplained infertility had hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy in the follicular phase; in nine women, CE was diagnosed (group CE+), while in 14 it was not (group CE−). All patients in the late secretory phase of the subsequent cycle underwent endometrial biopsy. By flow cytometry, the percentage and phenotype of the endometrial lymphocyte subpopulations were analyzed. Results The secretory endometrium of patients with CE displayed significantly lower percentage of CD56 + CD16 − and of CD56 bright CD16 − cells (47.8% ± 18.6 and 30.1% ± 20.5 versus 79.5% ± 3.9 and 67.3% ± 8.1, respectively; P < 0.01) as compared with group CE(−), while the percentage of CD3 + cells was significantly higher (25% ± 12.2 versus 10.5 ± 5; P < 0.01). Conclusion Infertile women with CE showed an abnormal percentage of endometrial lymphocyte subsets compared with unexplained infertile women suggesting that different mechanisms underlie the adverse pregnancy outcome of the two groups of patients.