Changes in the T-helper cytokine profile and in lymphocyte activation at the systemic and local levels in women with endometriosis.

Objective: To estimate regulatory cytokine synthesis and lymphocyte activation in the peripheral blood and endometrial tissue of patients with endometriosis.

Design: Controlled clinical study.

Setting: Medical center.

A Study of Peritoneal Immunocompetent Cells in External Genital Endometriosis.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the peculiarities of peritoneal lymphoid cell activation at the local level during external endometriosis and the possible role of secretory products of peritoneal macrophages in this process. Immunocompetent cells of peritoneal fluid from 16 women with endometriosis and 14 healthy women were studied by two-color flow cytometry method. It was found that endometriosis was associated with high level of expression of CD25 and HLA DR molecules and diminishment of Fas expression by CD3(+) subset of peritoneal lymphocytes.