Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor and human leukocyte antigen expression as immunodiagnostic parameters for pelvic endometriosis.

Problem: We investigated host immunologic responses to endometriosis by comparing immune cell surface antigens in peripheral blood (PB) and peritoneal fluid (PF) from women with endometriosis with those in PB and PF from other patients.

Method Of Study: Japanese women with endometriosis (n = 56) were compared with controls with other laparoscopic diagnoses (n = 68). PB and PF were collected at the time of laparoscopy for flow cytometry.

Expression of inhibitory-motif killer immunoglobulin-like receptor, KIR2DL1, is increased in natural killer cells from women with pelvic endometriosis.

Problem: We investigated inhibitory and activation motif expression of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) by natural killer (NK) cells, which may be pathogenetically involved in endometriosis.

Method Of Study: We compared cells from 24 Japanese women laparoscopically diagnosed with endometriosis, to cells from 25 women with other laparoscopic diagnoses. KIR expression by NK cells was assessed in peripheral blood (PB) and peritoneal fluid (PF) by flow cytometry.

Human leukocyte antigen expression by peritoneal macrophages from women with pelvic endometriosis is depressed but coordinated with costimulatory molecule expression.

Objective: To investigate the macrophage response in endometriosis, we determined expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC, HLA-DR, and their costimulatory molecules by peritoneal fluid (PF) macrophages.

Design: Case-control study of immunologic markers.

Setting: University hospital.