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Women with endometriosis show a defect in natural killer activity resulting in a decreased cytotoxicity to autologous endometrium

Oosterlynck DJ et al., 1991

Fertility and sterility, 56(1), 45-51

DOI 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54414-8 PMID 2065804 Source

Abstract

Objective

The role of natural killer (NK) cells in the decreased cellular immunity of women with endometriosis was investigated. DESIGN, SETTING,

Patients

Thirty-four women were investigated prospectively before a CO2-laser laparoscopy for infertility and/or pain at the University Hospital Gasthuisberg. Endometriosis was scored blindly.

Main outcome measure

The cytotoxicity, directed against the endometrium, was mediated by NK cells because this cytotoxicity could be removed by treating the effector cells with the NK-specific anti-Leu-11b monoclonal antibody. Consequently, we evaluated prospectively in those women the lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity toward NK sensitive (K562-assay) and autologous endometrial target cells.

Results

The NK activity (K562-assay) and the cytotoxicity against autologous endometrial cells were similarly decreased in women with endometriosis and correlated with the severity of the disease. Using heterologous effector cells, the decreased chromium release in women with endometriosis was less pronounced but still present.

Conclusion

The decreased cytotoxicity to endometrial cells in women with endometriosis is mainly because of a defect in NK activity but is also partially because of a resistance of the endometrium to NK cytotoxicity.

Topics

Endometriosis > Pathophysiology > MechanismsEndometriosis > Pathophysiology > BiomarkersEndometriosis > Excision Surgery > OutcomesInfertility > Female Factor > Endometriosis-Related
natural killer cells endometriosis, immune dysfunction endometriosis, nk cell activity endometrium, cellular immunity endometriosis infertility, cytotoxicity endometrial cells, immunological factors endometriosis, endometriosis immune system defect, natural killer deficiency fertility, endometrial cell resistance nk, pathophysiology endometriosis immunity, why excision works endometriosis, endometriosis severity immune correlation

Cite this article

Oosterlynck, D. J., Cornillie, F. J., Waer, M., Vandeputte, M., & Koninckx, P. R. (1991). Women with endometriosis show a defect in natural killer activity resulting in a decreased cytotoxicity to autologous endometrium. *Fertility and sterility*, *56*(1), 45-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54414-8

Keywords

Chromium Radioisotopes, Cytotoxicity, Immunologic, Endometriosis, Endometrium, Female, Flow Cytometry, Humans, Immunity, Cellular, Killer Cells, Natural, Leukocyte Count, Prospective Studies

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