Leukocyte density and composition in human cycling endometrium with uterine fibroids

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the leukocyte density and composition in the human cycling endometrium with uterine fibroids (UF). The endometrium with neighboring nodule (NN group, n = 62), autologous endometrium without NN (non-NN group, n = 62), and allogeneic endometrium without UF (non-UF group, n = 24) were immunostained for the leukocyte common and subset-specific antigens. The immunoreactive cells in the unit areas were enumerated under a light microscope. The stromal pan-leukocyte density in the proliferative phase was significantly higher in the endometrium in the NN group than in the non-NN group. The macrophage density was higher in the NN group than in the non-NN group throughout the menstrual cycle. The NK cell density in the mid-to-late secretory phase was lower in the NN group than in the non-NN group. The T cell density in the midsecretory phase was higher in the non-NN group than in the non-UF group. The neutrophil density in the proliferative phase was higher in the non-NN group than in the non-UF group. The leukocyte density and composition in the endometrium with UF are different from those without UF, suggesting their local effects on endometrial leukocyte population.