Altered Immunity in Endometriosis: What Came First?

Milena Králíčková, Luděk Fiala, Ludek Fiala, Petr Losan, Petr Lošan, Pavel Tomeš, Pavel Tomes, Vaclav Vetvicka, Václav Větvička
Immunological investigations · 2018 · vol. 47(6) , pp. 569–582 · doi:10.1080/08820139.2018.1467926 · PMID:29873595 · W2806117655
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This review examines the immunological alterations, including macrophages, lymphocytes, NK cells, and cytokine production, observed in endometriosis, but cannot determine if these changes are causes or consequences of the disease.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to summarize current knowledge of the changes within the immune system, from action of macrophages, lymphocytes and NK cells to biological effects of their products. Endometriosis is a complex gynecological disorder defined as a presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus affecting over 5 million reproductive-aged women in the U.S. alone. RESULT: In recent years, the potential role of the immune system in the development of endometriosis has increasingly gained attention. Data summarized in our study showed that the most relevant immunocytes are macrophages residing inside the peritoneal cavity and the ratios of Th1 to Th2 cells. Another crucial immunological parameter is the balance in production of cytokines and chemoatractants. CONCLUSIONS: This review confirms that despite decades of intensive research, the involvement of the immune system remains elusive, as we can recognize the changes, but still do not understand if these changes represent the results of endometriosis or if they are contributing factors. Based on these findings, we also discuss new treatment possibilities.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Cytokines Endometriosis Killer Cells, Natural Macrophages Th1-Th2 Balance Cytokines Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Killer Cells, Natural Macrophages Th1 Cells Th1 Cells Th1-Th2 Balance Th2 Cells Th2 Cells T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (93)

Cited by (45)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK