Abstract
Decreased phagocytotic ability of macrophages has been reported to be associated with the severity of endometriosis, although the underlying mechanism remains uncharacterized. Expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 by macrophages is a means to degrade the extracellular matrix of cells that are designated for phagocytosis. Here, we describe the regulation of MMP-9 expression and activity in peritoneal macrophages of women with endometriosis. Results demonstrated that peritoneal macrophages isolated from women with endometriosis have decreased levels of protein and enzyme activity of MMP-9. Treatment of macrophages with peritoneal fluid obtained from patients with severe endometriosis inhibited MMP-9 expression and gelatinase activity. Further investigation identified prostaglandin (PG) E2 as the major factor in the peritoneal fluid that inhibited MMP-9 activity. The inhibitory effect of PGE2 was mediated via the EP2/EP4-dependent PKA pathway. Furthermore, expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2, and RECK in macrophages was not affected by treatment with PGE2, indicating the effect of PGE2 on suppressing MMP-9 activity was not mediated by up-regulation of its inhibitor. Our results suggest that decreased phagocytotic capability of peritoneal macrophage in patients with endometriosis may be caused by PGE2-mediated decreases in MMP-9 expression.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1061-1069 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | American Journal of Pathology |
Volume | 167 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2005 Oct |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine