Infertility in endometriosis: Are the suppressor cells dysregulated? — ASN Events
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  2. SRB Poster Session - Uterus/Placenta/Implantation
  3. Infertility in endometriosis: Are the suppressor cells dysregulated?

Infertility in endometriosis: Are the suppressor cells dysregulated? (#286)

azmat riaz 1 , Cecilia Wong 1 , Marina Berbic 1 , Robert Jansen 2 , Schmidt Uli 2 , Robert Markham 1 , Ian Fraser 1 , Alison Hey-Cunningham 1
  1. Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mothers and Infants, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Genea Limited, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Objective: To evaluate the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated infertility
Supporting information: Endometriosis is a leading cause of infertility. Immunological alterations have a likely role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis-associated infertility [1]. Endometrial Treg numbers are increased in early pregnancy normally and induce immune tolerance to facilitate embryo implantation. Numbers and/or function of Tregs may be inadequate in unexplained infertility [2]. Tregs are also highly disturbed in endometriosis [3], yet their precise roles in endometriosis-associated infertility are unclear.
Statement of findings: In this ongoing study, Tregs in blood and endometrium of infertile women with endometriosis are compared to fertile controls using multi-colour flow cytometry with antibodies to CD45, CD4, CD25 and CD127. Preliminary results from infertile women with endometriosis (n=5) and fertile control (n=1) show the presence of CD4+CD25+CD127dim Tregs with proportions ranging 4.9 -12.1 % of CD4+ cells in the endometrium and 3.6 - 5.4% in blood.
Key conclusions: Recruitment is continuing to comprehensively characterise Tregs in endometriosis-associated infertility. Current evidence suggests Treg dysregulation may be important in infertility in women with endometriosis. Better understanding of the pathophysiology of infertility in endometriosis may lead to development of improved treatment approaches for women desiring to become pregnant.

References
1. Eisenberg VH, Zolti M, Soriano D. Is there an association between autoimmunity and endometriosis? Autoimmune Reviews. 2012; 11(11):806-14
2. Aluvihare VR, Kallikourdis M, Betz AG. Regulatory T cells mediate maternal tolerance to the fetus. Nature Immunology. 2004; 5(3):266-71
3. Berbic M, Hey-Cunningham AJ, Ng C, Tokushige N, Ganewatta S, Markham R, Russell P, Fraser IS. The role of Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells in endometriosis: a potential controlling mechanism for a complex, chronic immunological condition. Human Reproduction. 2010; 25(4):900-7

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