The Content of Cytokines IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-4 and the Level of CD86 and CD163 Expression in Peritoneal Fluid Macrophages Has a Reverse Correlation with the Degree of Severity of External Genital Endometriosis

Concentrations of eight different cytokines and the level of CD86 and CD163 expression by macrophages were studied in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. The concentration of both pro-inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4) as well as the level of macrophage expression of the proinflammatory marker CD86 and anti-inflammatory marker CD163 increased in women with mild external genital endometriosis (stage 1−2), and did not differ from the control group in women with severe endometriosis (3−4 stage). The content of IL-2, IL-10, CM-CSF and IFN-γ in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis insignificantly differed from the control group. The results of the study indicate that the development of external genital endometriosis may be associated with insufficient pro-inflammatory and also anti-inflammatory activity of peritoneal fluid macrophages.