The presence of endometrial cells in the peritoneal cavity initiates a mesothelial inflammatory response

Abstract

Objective: Increased presence of peritoneal macrophages has been observed in women with endometriosis. As retrograde menstruation been suggested to account for the presence of endometrial cells in the peritoneal cavity of women with endometriosis, we proposed that the presence of endometrial cells together with mesothelial cells might induce an inflammatory response resulting in increased monocyte recruitment. Accordingly, we observed that the co-culture of endometrial cells with mesothelial cells resulted in several fold higher production of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) as compared to either of these cell types alone (Song M. et al. Fertility & Sterility. 79: 789–94, 2003). The objective of the present study is to determine whether the presence of endometrial cells in the peritoneal cavity would lead to an induction of MCP-1 gene expression and to increased recruitment of monocytes in vivo.