{"paper_id":"b2e0cf1d-218f-4a7f-99fb-133989b21c3b","body_text":"Summary\nLeucocyte subpopulations localized in endometriotic lesions were analysed using the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique on 15 biopsies obtained by CO2 laser excision. Qualitative assessment of the leucocyte subpopulations was performed with a panel of antihuman monoclonal antibodies for leucocytes (anti-Hle-1), T-lymphocytes (anti-leu-4), T helper/inducer (anti-leu-3a), T suppressor/cytotoxic (anti-leu-2a), B cells (anti-leu-12), HLA-DR (anti-HLA-DR), macrophages (anti-leu-M3) and natural killer cells (anti-leu-7, anti-leu-11; anti-leu-19). Leucocyte common antigen (anti-Hle-1)-positive cells were present in all lesions and were the most frequent stromal leucocytes. Of these, the T lymphocytes are the most frequent subpopulation together with the macrophages. The CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.78. No anti-leu-7 and/or anti-leu-11-positive cells were found although a substantial amount of anti-leu-19-positive cells were found in each lesion. There were very few B cells present in the ectopic endometrial lesions. In conclusion, an important amount of cytotoxic lymphocytes (anti-leu-2a-and anti-leu-19-positive cells) and macrophages (anti-leu-M3) were found in the endometriotic lesions. The possible importance of these intra-endometriotic leucocytes for the pathophysiology of endometriosis will be discussed.\nSimilar content being viewed by others\nReferences\nBulmer JN, Lunny DP, Hagin SV (1988) Immunohistochemical characterization of stromal leucocytes in nonpregnant human endometrium. Am J Reprod Immunol Microbiol 17:83–90\nBulmer JN, Morrison L, Longfellow M, Ritson A, Pace D (1991) Granulated lymphocytes in human endometrium: histochemical and immunohistochemical studies. Hum Reprod 6:791–798\nCornillie FJ, Oosterlynck DJ, Lauweryns JM, Koninckx PR (1990) Deeply infiltrating pelvic endometriosis: histology and clinical significance. Fertil Steril 53:978–983\nDmowski WP, Steele RW, Baker GF (1981) Deficient cellular immunity in endometriosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 141:377–383\nGarzetti GG, Ciavattini A, Provinciali M, Fabris N, Cignitti M, Romanini C (1993) Natural killer cell activity in endometriosis: correlation between serum estradiol levels and cytotoxicity. Obstet Gynecol 81:665–668\nKamat BR, Isaacson PG (1987) The immunocytochemical distribution of leucocytic subpopulations in human endometrium. Am J Pathol 127:66–73\nKing A, Wellings V, Gardner L, Loke YW (1989) Immunocytochemical characterization of the unusual large granular lymphocytes in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. Hum Immunol 24:195–205\nLanier LL, Le AM, Civin CI, Loken MR, Phillips JH (1986) The relationship of CD16 (Leu-11) and Leu-19 (NKH-1) antigen expression on human peripheral blood NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. J Immunology 136:4480–4486\nMorris H, Edwards J, Tiltman A, Emms M (1985) Endometrial lymphoid tissue: an immunohistological study. J Clin Pathol 38:644–652\nOosterlynck DJ, Cornillie FJ, Waer M, Vandeputte M, Koninckx PR (1991) Women with endometriosis show a defect in natural killer activity resulting in a decreased cytotoxicity to autologous endometrium. Fertil Steril 56:45–51\nOosterlynck DJ, Meuleman C, Waer M, Vandeputte M, Koninckx PR (1992) The natural killer activity of peritoneal fluid lymphocytes is decreased in women with endometriosis. Fertil Steril 58:290–295\nRitson A, Bulmer JN (1989) Isolation and functional studies of granulated lymphocytes in first trimester human decidua. Clin Exp Immunol 77:263–268\nSchweppe KW, Wynn RM, Beller FK (1984) Ultrastructural comparison of endometriotic implants and eutopic endometrium. Am J Obstet Gynecol 148:1024–1039\nSen DK, Fox H (1967) The lymphoid tissue of the endometrium. Gynecologia 163:371–378\nTanaka E, Sendo F, Kawagoe S, Hiroi M (1992) Decreased natural killer cell activity in women with endometriosis. Gynecol Obstet Invest 34:27–30\nThe American Fertility Society. Revised American Fertility Society Classification of Endometriosis. (1985) Fertil Steril 43:351–352\nVigano P, Vercellini P, Di Blasio AM, Colombo A, Candiani GB, Vignali M (1991) Deficient antiendometrium lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity in patients with endometriosis. Fertil Steril 56:894–899\nAuthor information\nAuthors and Affiliations\nAdditional information\nThis work was supported by the Belgian Fund for Scientific Research, Brussels, Belgium\nRights and permissions\nAbout this article\nCite this article\nOosterlynck, D.J., Cornillie, F.J., Waer, M. et al. Immunohistochemical characterization of leucocyte subpopulations in endometriotic lesions. Arch Gynecol Obstet 253, 197–206 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02766646\nReceived:\nAccepted:\nIssue date:\nDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02766646","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}