Interleukin-4 induces expression of eotaxin in endometriotic stromal cells

Objective: To study the relationship between eotaxin and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.

Design: Comparative and laboratory study.

Setting: University teaching hospital reproductive endocrinology and infertility practice.

Patient(s): Ectopic endometrial tissues were collected from women with endometriosis.

Intervention(s): Ectopic endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were isolated and cultured with IL-4. Ectopic endometriotic tissues were immunostained for eotaxin and IL-4.

Main outcome measure(s): Gene expression of eotaxin was determined by standard and real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Secretion of eotaxin from ESC was measured using specific ELISA. The immunostained sections were examined.

Result(s): Interleukin-4 (IL-4) increased mRNA expression and protein secretion of eotaxin from ESC in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that eotaxin-positive cells colocalized with IL-4-positive cells and accumulated around the blood vessels in the stroma of endometriotic tissue.

Conclusion(s): IL-4 induces eotaxin in ESCs, which might promote angiogenesis and the subsequent development of endometriosis.