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CD 4 + CD 25 high Foxp3 + Cells Increased in the Peritoneal Fluid of Patients with Endometriosis
Author(s) -
Podgaec Sergio,
Rizzo Luiz Vicente,
Fernandes Luiz Flavio Cordeiro,
Baracat Edmund Chada,
Abrao Mauricio Simoes
Publication year - 2012
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.1600-0897.2012.01173.x
Subject(s) - peritoneal fluid , endometriosis , pathogenesis , flow cytometry , foxp3 , medicine , andrology , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , immunology , biology , immune system
Problem To evaluate CD 4 + CD 25 high Foxp3 + cells and IL ‐6, IL ‐10, IL ‐17, and TGF ‐β in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. Method of study A total of ninety‐eight patients were studied: endometriosis ( n = 70) and control ( n = 28). First, peritoneal fluid lymphocytes were isolated, and CD 4 + CD 25 high cells were identified using flow cytometry. Then, RT ‐ PCR was performed to verify F oxp3 expression in these cells. Also, IL ‐6, IL ‐10, IL ‐17, and TGF ‐β concentration was determined. Results Of all the lymphocytes in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis, 36.5% (median) were CD 4 + CD 25 high compared to only 1.15% (median) in the control group ( P < 0.001). F oxp3 expression was similarly elevated in patients with the disease compared to those without (median, 50 versus 5; P < 0.001). IL‐6 and TGF‐β were higher in endometriosis group (IL‐6: 327.5 pg/m L versus 195.5 pg/m L ; TGF‐β: 340 pg/m L versus 171.5 pg/m L ; both P < 0.001). IL‐10 and IL‐17 showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion The peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis had a higher percentage of CD 4 + CD 25 high F oxp3 + cells and also higher levels of IL ‐6 and TGF ‐β compared to women without the disease. These findings suggest that CD 4 + CD 25 high F oxp3 + cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.