Endometriosis Knowledgebase


A repository for genes associated with endometriosis

Results


PMID 14745563
Gene Name TNF
Condition Endometriosis
Association Associated 
Population size 100
Population details 100 (65 endometriosis, 35 controls)
Sex Female
Other associated phenotypes Endometriosis
Tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion by peritoneal macrophages in patients with endometriosis.

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2005 Feb;271(2):143-7. Epub 2004 Jan 27.

Richter, Oliver N| Dorn, Christoph| Rosing, Ben| Flaskamp, Christian| Ulrich, Uwe

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bonn School of Medicine, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany. Dr.OliverRichter@t-online.de

INTRODUCTION: As a cytotoxic product of activated monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)--together with other cytokines and growth factors--is an important component in the immune response of the human organism. In addition, TNF-alpha plays a central role in neoangiogenesis. Because of its cytotoxicity with regard to several tumor cells and its motility-hindering effect on human sperm, TNF-alpha is considered to be a significant pelvic mediator of female sterility. OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was to determine as to whether or not an increased TNF-alpha secretion by peritoneal macrophages (PM) can be measured in female patients with endometriosis compared with healthy subjects, and if TNF-alpha secretion can be correlated with the activity of endometriosis. METHODS: During infertility work-up, 100 female patients underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy. In accordance with the rAFS classification as well as from the macroscopic aspect of the degree of activity of the endometriosis, the patients were divided as follows: an endometriosis-free control group with a completely normal pelvic status (n=35) and three groups with increasing stages of endometriosis (n=65). In the control group (Group 1), the TNF-alpha concentrations (median values with minimum / maximum) were 6.2 pg/ml (1.9/10.2), in Group 2 with rAFS stage I/II less active endometriosis 56.33 pg/ml (39.5/71.2), in Group 3 with rAFS stage I/II but highly active endometriosis 81.41 pg/ml (68.4/98.7), while in Group 4 with rAFS stage III/IV 200,15 pg/ml (182.6/226.8), respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we were able to show that the TNF-alpha secretion of PM was significantly higher in patients with proven endometriosis compared to the control group. These results were found to be statistically significant and were in accordance with the histological findings. Thus, due to its immunomodulating potential, TNF-alpha may be a marker of both activity and stage of endometriosis.

Mesh Terms: Adult| Ascitic Fluid/chemistry| Biomarkers/analysis| Endometriosis/*metabolism/physiopathology| Female| Humans| Laparoscopy| Macrophages/*secretion| Peritoneal Lavage| Prospective Studies| Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/*biosynthesis|DA 2005/08/03