[Animal model of endometriosis treated with xenogeneic endothelial cells as vaccines in Lewis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a new therapy for endometriosis, which can inhibit the angiogenesis of ectopic endometrium. METHODS: Xeogeneic endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVECs) were used as vaccines, and a variety of controlled cells (including rat aortic endothelial cells and human fibroblast cells) were cultured, fixed and resuspended in PBS. Thirty-six Lewis rats with experimentally induced endometriosis were divided into 6 groups. Group A was treated with HUVECs (1 x 10(5)); Group B was treated with HUVECs (5 x 10(5)); Group C was treated with HUVECs (1 x 10(6)); Group D (a control group) was treated with PBS (0.5 ml); Group E (a control group) was treated with human fibroblast cells (5 x 10(5)); and Group F (a control group) was treated with rat aortic endothelial cells (5 x 10(5)). Microvessel desity (MVD), area and the proliferative index were deteced in different groups 4 weeks after the treatment. The effect of immune serum on rat endothelial cell proliferation in vivo was determined with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method. RESULTS: The area of the established endometriotic implant became smaller in Group B and Group C; compared with other groups, MVD decreased after the treatment with HUVECs as vaccines in Group B and Group C (P 0.05). The immune sera induced by HUVECs could inhibit the proliferation of endothelial cells of rats in vivo (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As vaccines, HU- VECs can inhibit the angiogenesis of ectopic endometrium, and provide a new therapy for endometriosis.