Expression of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in endometriotic tissues: an immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) expressions in normal and endometriotic human tissue using immunohistochemical methods.Materials and Methods: This study examined tissue sections obtained from the tissue biopsies of ectopic endometrium taken from 24 women between the ages of 20 to 40 years. Additionally, the tissue sections taken from the normal endometrium obtained from 10 patients without any endometrial dysfunction due to dilation or curettage were also evaluated, as the control group. Tissue sections prepared by light microscopic and immunohistochemical methods were examined under a light microscope.Results: In the control group TNF-α and IL-6 expressions were identified at varying levels, from weak to moderate, in surface and glandular epithelium; however, there was no evidence of a significant staining in the stromal cells. It is found that TNF-α and IL-6 immunoreactivity in the endometriotic tissues were significantly increased in the epithelial cells, stromal cells and macrophages compared to the control endometrium. Expressions of TNF-α and IL-6 were both strong in the ectopic endometrial tissues. Conclusion: We conclude that TNF-α and IL-6 are important cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of the endometriosis.