Co-culture with macrophages enhances the clonogenic and invasion activity of endometriotic stromal cells.

Objective To study the effect on endometrial and endometriotic cells after co-culture with macrophages, using clonogenic, invasion and self-renewal assays. Materials and methods Peripheral blood samples, endometrium and endometriotic tissues were collected. Autologous macrophages were co-cultured with endometrial and endometriotic cells. The number of colony-forming units ( CFU), invasiveness and self-renewal activity after co-culture with macrophages were determined. The cytokine level of colony-stimulating factor-1 ( CSF-1) from macrophages with and without endometriosis was compared. Results Co-culture with macrophages significantly increased the clonogenic and invasion ability of endometriotic stromal cells in vitro. Colony-stimulating factor-1 ( CSF-1) was up-regulated in endometriotic macrophages conditioned medium when compared to those without the disease. Conclusions These data suggest that macrophages may increase the proliferation and invasion activity of stromal clonogenic cells in women with endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]