Lipopolysaccharide-promoted proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells via induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-8 expression.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) protein in endometriotic stromal cells (ESC) and their effect on the proliferation of ESC.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago, Japan.

Patient(s): Seventeen patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery.

Intervention(s): Endometriotic stromal cells were obtained from chocolate cyst linings of the ovary.

Main Outcome Measure(s): We determined the effect of LPS on the production of TNFalpha and IL-8 and the effect of IL-8 antisense oligonucleotide and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibitor on IL-8 production using ELISA. TNFalpha production was examined by immunocytochemical staining. We determined the effect of LPS and the effect of IL-8 antisense oligonucleotide and NF-kappaB inhibitor on LPS-promoted ESC proliferation.

Result(s): LPS-stimulated ESC produced significant amounts of TNFalpha and IL-8 in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Adding LPS promoted ESC proliferation. Anti-TNFalpha antibody and anti-IL-8 antibody inhibited the stimulatory effects of LPS. IL-8 antisense oligonucleotide and NF-kappaB inhibitor significantly decreased LPS-induced IL-8 protein production and LPS-induced ESC proliferation.

Conclusion(s): Pelvic inflammation may promote the progression of endometriosis.