EXPRESSIONS OF PERITONEAL MACROPHAGE SCAVENGER RECEPTORS IN EXTERNAL GENITAL ENDOMETRIOSIS

Objective. To ascertain the specific features of spontaneous expression of peritoneal macrophage scavenger receptors in women with external genital endometriosis and to define the nature of the effect of autologous endometrial cells on the expression of macrophage scavenger receptors in patients with endometriosis. Material and methods. Peritoneal fluid and uterine endometrial biopsy specimens were studied in 32 women with external genital endometriosis, 10 women with tuboperitoneal infertility (a comparison group) and 9 healthy fertile women admitted for elective surgical sterilization (a control group). The spontaneous and endometrial cell-stimulated expression of scavenger receptors (CD204 and CD36) was estimated by a flow cytometric technique. Results. The women with external genital endometriosis were found to have a lower CD204 and CD36 expression by peritoneal macrophages regardless of the extent of a pathological process. Unlike the control and comparison group women, the patients with endometriosis had not increased expression of scavenger receptors in response to the autologous endometrial cell-induced stimulation of macrophages. Conclusion. The depressed expression of scavenger receptors onto the surface of peritoneal macrophages is an important factor determining an impaired local immune response in the perinatal cavity on ectopic endometrial cells.

external genital endometriosis, peritoneal macrophages, scavenger receptors