The Effect of IL-6 and IL-8 on the MMP-9 Secretion of Endometrial Stromal Cells in Women with Endometriosis

Objective To study the effect of IL-6 and IL-8 on the MMP-9 secretion of endometrial stromal cells in women with endometriosis to explore the function of IL-6 and IL-8 in the adherence and planting process of ectopic endometrium. Methods The endometrial stromal cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium containing different concentrations of IL-6 or IL-8 for 24 hours, then the media were collected to measure the levels of MMP-9 by ELISA. Results The levels of MMP-9 in control stromal cells cultured with high concentration of IL-6 were significantly higher than those without IL-6 (P0.05). The levels of MMP-9 in eutopic and ectopic endometrial cells cultured with high concentration of IL-6 were significantly higher than those with low concentration of IL-6(P0.01), and in the cells cultured with high concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher than those without IL-6(P0.01). Conclusion IL-6 promotes the planting of ectopic endometrium possibly by producing high level of MMP-9. IL-8 may play a role in the growth and maintenance of ectopic endometrial tissue by stimulating endometrial cell proliferation.