Integrin-mediated adhesion of uterine endometrial cells from endometriosispatients to extracellular matrix proteins is enhanced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1)

Objectives: (I) to demonstrate specificity of integrin function in endometr ial cell adhesion; (2) to investigate their regulation by tumor necrosis fa ctor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-l (IL-1); and (3) to detect differen ces between cells from patients with and without endometriosis. Study Desig n: Endometrial cell cultures from ten patients with and 13 without endometr iosis were tested for their expression of integrins alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, alpha upsilon beta 3, and alpha 4 beta 1 by immunocytochemistry an d for their adhesion to collagen type IV; laminin, and fibronectin. Results : Integrin expression was independent of cytokine treatment. Addition of an tiintegrin antibodies inhibited adhesion. A significant increase in adhesio n to laminin and fibronectin was seen in endometriosis after IL-1 treatment and additionally to collagen after TNF alpha. Cells from women without end ometriosis showed a significant increase only to fibronectin. Conclusions: Human endometrial cells express functional integrins in vitro. TNF alpha an d IL-1 had more pronounced effects on adhesion in endometriosis. Inflammato ry cytokines in the peritoneal cavity may facilitate adhesion of retrograde ly menstruated endometrial fragments in endometriosis. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.