Halme J

There is abundant evidence of altered immune function in endometriosis. The task that remains is to attempt a synthesis from the accumulated data, to try to make some sense of the observed phenomena and to fit them into a conceptual framewo…

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) expression was concordant in eutopic endometrium and endometriotic implants. DESIGN: Paired samples of endometrium and endometriotic implants from eight patients w…

ObjectiveDevelopment of ectopic implants of endometriosis is associated with both an inflammatory response by macrophages and endometrial stromal cell proliferation. Macrophages are capable of releasing a variety of inflammatory mediators, …

ObjectiveTo assess the direct effects of three endometriosis chemotherapeutic agents (medroxyprogesterone acetate [MPA], danazol, and leuprolide acetate [LA]) on endometrial cell proliferation.DesignAnalysis of cell proliferation in vitro.S…

OBJECTIVE: To determine if types I, III, or IV collagen are present in ectopic endometrium and to determine which type(s) of collagen are present in the connective tissue surrounding ectopic endometrial implants. DESIGN: Paired intrauterin…

ObjectiveTo assess the direct effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a macrophage secretory product structurally and functionally similar to substances released by peritoneal macrophages isolated from endometriosis patients, on e…

The natural history of endometriosis, including the belief that it is a progressive disease, is reviewed with the help of a large, cross-sectional, prospective study and a smaller longitudinal study. Two studies are reviewed that address th…

We examined the release in vitro of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by peritoneal macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes following incubation with toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). We obtained peritoneal macrophages from 22…

This paper has discussed the evidence for the presence of infertility in patients with endometriosis and more critically reviewed some of the studies that have addressed the impact of various potential local peritoneal mechanisms that may l…

Late proliferative phase endometrial stromal cells grown in short-term culture were used as a model for the stromal component of endometriotic implants. Cells were grown in medium alone and in medium supplemented by 5, 10, and 20% concentra…

Although association between moderate or severe endometriosis and infertility is fairly well established, the link between lesser disease stages and infertility is more tenuous. The proposed mechanisms underlying this association are review…

Tumor necrosis factor is a product of activated monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes that exerts a variety of effects in the host. Its cytotoxicity toward gametes has been suggested as a mechanism of how activated macrophages may cause s…

Normal human peritoneal macrophages show a restricted capacity to differentiate into inflammatory macrophages in vivo. We now report that these cells are unable to cap and internalize HLA-DR, as compared to endometriosis, and other macropha…

We studied the in vitro secretion of macrophage-derived growth factor (MDGF) activity by peritoneal macrophages from fertile and infertile women. Peritoneal fluid was obtained from 55 women undergoing laparoscopy for evaluation and treatmen…

Fibronectin, a known growth factor for fibroblasts, is produced by alveolar macrophages from patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Because peritoneal macrophages have been implicated in the disease process of endometriosis, we meas…

Human peritoneal macrophages from healthy women and patients with endometriosis were analyzed with flow cytometry for size distribution, cell membrane antigen expression, and membrane function. Endometriosis was associated with a significan…

This study compared peritoneal fluid volume, macrophage count, and macrophage concentration by diagnosis and cycle week of 426 patients undergoing laparoscopy. Patient diagnosis and cycle week had no significant interaction. Peritoneal flui…

Forty-four patients with and without mild endometriosis were tested for the presence in peritoneal fluid of autoantibodies against endometrial and ovarian antigens. Five patients with endometriosis and one patient in the control group had s…

The PF environment is one that hosts the processes of ovulation, gamete transportation, fertilization, and early embryonic development. The cellular and acellular constituents of this dynamic fluid are in a constant interactive state, being…

The effects of peritoneal fluid or its cellular components on human oocyte fertilization and cleavage cannot be studied directly. This report explores the association of laparoscopically obtained peritoneal fluid volume, macrophage count, a…

One case of extensive endometriosis with ascites in a young nulliparous woman is reported. The patient had been maintained on suppressive therapy with danazol for over two years, demonstrating the feasibility of conservative management in t…

Macrophages have been identified in the developing corpus luteum in several species, including man, and also constitute approximately 90% of cells in the peritoneal cavity. We studied the effect of peritoneal macrophages or blood monocytes …

Peritoneal fluid was collected from 107 women undergoing laparoscopic sterilization or diagnostic laparoscopy for evaluation of infertility. Cells consisting mainly of macrophages were separated and subjected to sophisticated flow fluorocyt…