Changes in T-cell regulation of responses to self antigens in women with pelvic endometriosis

Cunningham DS, D S Cunningham, Dean S. Cunningham, Keith A. Hansen, Hansen KA, K A Hansen, C C Coddington, Coddington Cc, Charles C. Coddington
Fertility and sterility · 1992 · vol. 58(1) , pp. 114–119 · doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)55146-2 · PMID:1385582 · W2402855468
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This study investigated alterations in T-cell regulation of self-antigen responses within women diagnosed with pelvic endometriosis.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo study autoimmune aspects of endometriosis.DesignLymphoblast transformation and hemolytic plaque formation were used to assess specific T- and B-cell activity against endometrial antigens.SettingMilitary teaching hospital.PatientsNinety-four healthy women of reproductive age undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy as part of an evaluation for infertility or chronic pelvalgia were accordingly grouped into those with normal pelvic peritoneum (20), mild endometriosis (50), and severe endometriosis (24).Main outcome measureThe study assessed the proliferative and humoral responses of lymphocytes from women with and without endometriosis to endometrial antigens and quantified the number of B-cell precursors, T-helper cells, and T-suppressor cells to these antigens.ResultsUnfractionated endometrial antigens were similarly blastogenic for lymphocytes from women with and without endometriosis. Despite equivalent numbers of B-cell precursors to these antigens, antiendometrial antibody responsiveness appears to have increased in women with mild endometriosis because of a decrease in T-suppressor cell activity and declined in women with severe endometriosis because of a further drop in T-suppressor cell activity and an increase in T-helper cell activity, as compared with women without endometriosis.ConclusionsTaken together, these experiments support the possibility that pelvic endometriosis may result from a break in specific T-cell tolerance rather than nonspecific polyclonal activation of responder lymphocytes.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Autoantibodies Autoantigens Endometriosis T-Lymphocytes Autoantibodies Autoantigens Biopsy B-Lymphocytes B-Lymphocytes B-Lymphocytes Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Risk Factors T-Lymphocytes

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