Are macrophages the key to treating endometriosis? Modified cells of the immune system, macrophages, can contribute to the occurrence of severe pain in women with endometriosis, informs «The FASEB Journal».
Nearly 167 million women worldwide suffer from endometriosis. This disease is characterized by the movement of the lining of the womb (endometrium) outside the womb and severe pain. Endometriomas can occur in the ovaries, in the urinary system, in the peritoneal cavity or in the gastrointestinal tract.
Currently available treatments include surgical removal of endometriotic lesions and hormone therapy, which may, however, have side effects. Due to the frequency of the disease and its impact on increasing the risk of infertility, scientists are looking for other, non-hormonal solutions.
Is it endometriosis? The gynecologist suggests
Researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK focused on the role of macrophages, the cells of the immune system that belong to leukocytes. Changes characteristic of endometriosis attract macrophages, therefore, in pathologically changed places, their greater amounts are noticeable. However, these cells are different from healthy macrophages.
In laboratory studies on cell cultures, scientists observed increased production of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) by diseased macrophages. When applied to a culture of nerve cells, they found that they stimulated the growth and activation of nerves. This suggests that the production of IGF-1 by macrophages may increase pain sensitivity in patients with endometriosis.
Then, samples of fluid from the peritoneal cavity from patients with endometriosis were tested. It was confirmed that these women had higher IGF-1 levels compared to women who did not have endometriosis.
– Better understanding of the role of macrophages in the course of endometriosis would allow us to distinguish pathologically altered macrophages from healthy ones and target these altered macrophages in treatment – comments the author of the analysis, Dr. Erin Greaves.