Alterations in the invasive properties of peripheral blood monocytes from patients with endometriosis

Abstract

Alterations in the invasive properties of peripheral blood monocytes from patients with endometriosis C.E. Bedient 1 , D. Rodriguez 1 , N. Sidell 1 , C. Roberts 2 , S.C. Schutte 1 1 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 2 Reproductive Surgical Specialists, Cumming, GA (USA) Summary Purpose of this Investigation: The primary aim of this pilot study was to determine if the increase in monocyte/macrophage number in the peritoneal cavity of women with endometriosis is due to differences in peritoneal fluid signaling content (e.g. cytokine levels) or inherent differences in monocyte migration in response to those signals. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid samples were collected from endometriosis and surgical control patients at the time of surgery. Peripheral blood was also collected from a group of healthy ‘non-surgical control’ patients in an internal medicine clinic. Monocytes were isolated from blood and invasion was assessed using peritoneal fluid from endometriosis patients and controls as a chemoattractant. Results: Regardless of peritoneal fluid source a > 10-fold change was seen in monocyte invasion with endometriotic monocytes. Conclusion: Peripheral blood monocytes from women with endometriosis are more invasive than those from other women. This is true when compared to both surgical and nonsurgical controls.