Immunology: Anti-endometrial lymphocytotoxicity and natural killer cell activity in baboons (papio anubis and papio cynocephalus) with endometriosis

Abstract

This study was performed to test the hypothesis that anti-endometrial, lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and natural killer (NK) activity are reduced in baboons with endometriosis when compared to animals with a normal pelvis. Lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity was determined in 28 baboons (15 with endometriosis, 13 with normal pelvis) and NK cell activity was evaluated in 42 baboons (31 with endometriosis, 11 with normal pelvis). Anti-endometrial lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity was determined by a 20 h assay with effector-target ratios of 50: 1 and 25: 1. The NK activity (K562 cell line as target) was simultaneously measured in all animals during a 4 h assay with effector:target ratios of 200..