Interluekin-12 and IL-12P40 subunit regulate immune recognition of endometrial cells

Objective:To evaluate the roles of IL 12 and IL 12P40 in the cytolytic NK cell activities to endometrial cells Methods:Concentrations of IL 12 and IL 12P40 were determined in serum and peritoneal fluid by ELISA;IL 12 induced cytotoxic response was studied by MTT cytotoxicity assay Results:①The peritoneal fluid of the patients could decrease activities of NK cells in healthy persons(from 16 80%±3 6% to 8 37%±4 5% ,P0 05)?②IL 12 presented in serum and peritoneal fluid, levels of IL 12 at the stages of the endometriosis are significantly lower (66 38±12 6 pg/ml, 77 76±14 6 pg/ml) than control (84 97±13 7 pg/ml, 106 92±10 7 pg/ml)(P0 05); ③IL 12P40 are also presented in serum and peritoneal fluid, their levels in peritoneal fluid are significantly higher (79 76±12 6 pg/ml) than control (40 54±10 0 pg/ml)(P0 05) ④IL 12 could enhance the NK cell mediated cytotoxicity toward autologous endometrial cells; ⑤IL 12P40 could inhibit IL 12 induced NK activity against endometrial cells Conclusion:The high level of IL 12P40 in peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis may be related to the NK cell defect.