The frequency of CD25+CD4+ and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in ectopic endometrium and ectopic decidua

Abstract

BackgroundThe presence of regulatory T (Treg) cells in human endometrium is crucial for maintaining immunological homeostasis within the uterus. For this study we decided to evaluate the subpopulations of Treg cells in conditions where a disturbance in the immunological equilibrium in ectopic endometrium and decidua has been observed, such as in cases of ovarian endometriosis (involving local immune cell suppression) and ectopic pregnancy (involving an increase in local immune system activity). We then compared these findings to what we observed in the normal eutopic endometrium of women during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (with immune cells under individual control).MethodsThe endometrium tissue samples evaluated in our study were obtained from 47 women during one of two kinds of laparoscopic procedures. 16 of the women underwent laparoscopies due to Fallopian tube pregnancies (EP), and 16 due to ovarian endometrioma, while 15 women made up a control group. The presence of regulatory T cells in these tissue samples was evaluated by FACS.ResultsIn our study, the percentages of FOXP3+ cells within the subpopulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes found in the decidua of the patients treated for Fallopian tube pregnancies were statistically significantly lower than both those observed in the ovarian endometriosis tissue samples and those found in the secretory eutopic endometrium samples of the control group.ConclusionThe disturbance in the immunological equilibrium observed in ectopic endometrium and decidua would seem to be related to the alteration in the Treg cell population that occurs in these ectopic tissues.

Analysis of FOXP3 polymorphisms in infertile women with and without endometriosis

“…The increase in the number of Treg cells depends on estrogen (E) levels, and Es are also responsible for the increase in the immune suppressive potential of these cells (18). Estrogen levels generally seem to be linked with a decrease in TH1 response and the absence of Treg cell fluctuation can be linked to an immune defect arising with the development of endometriosis (17,19).…”

“…The specific activities of these immune cells are crucial for the proper course of such reproductive processes as menstruation and implantation (16). An alteration in Treg lymphocyte infiltration generally disrupts the immunologic equilibrium (17). The increase in the number of Treg cells depends on estrogen (E) levels, and Es are also responsible for the increase in the immune suppressive potential of these cells (18).…”

Genetic association study of polymorphisms FOXP3 and FCRL3 in women with endometriosis

“…Specific activities of these cells are crucial for an appropriate course of reproductive processes, such as menstruation and implantation (33). Changes in lymphocyte infiltration of Tregs may disturb the immune balance (34), damaging these processes.…”

Endometriosis and Cancer: Is There an Association?

“…The presence of Treg cells has also been correlated with poor prognosis in ovarian cancers [ 83 ]. The presence of Treg cells in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in endometriosis has been documented [ 84 ]. One study found increased Treg cells in the peritoneal fl uid and decreased levels in the peripheral blood of women with endometriosis compared to controls without endometriosis.…”