Basal and stimulated secretion of cytokines by peritoneal macrophages in women with endometriosis

Objective: To evaluate basal (constitutive) and stimulated synthesis of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-10 by peritoneal macrophages (PM) in women with endometriosis. Design: Peritoneal macrophages were cultured in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hours. Peritoneal fluids (PF) and PM supernatants were assayed for cytokines using ELISA. Setting: Institute for the Study and Treatment of Endometriosis and university-based research laboratories. Subjects: Fertile controls undergoing tubal ligation (n = 8) and women with endometriosis (n = 17). Intervention: Peritoneal fluid samples were obtained at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy (endometriosis group) or laparoscopy for tubal ligation; both were performed in the midluteal phase of the cycle. Results: Both basal and LPS stimulated production of TNF alpha, IL-8, and IL-10 by the PM were elevated significantly in women with endometriosis as compared with the fertile controls. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that cytokines TNF alpha, IL-8, and IL-10 are synthesized at greater than normal levels by basal and stimulated PM from women with endometriosis. The levels of TNF alpha and IL-8 correlated with the levels in the PF, suggesting that PM are the principal source of these cytokines in the PF.