Different Expression Pattern of TIM-3 and Galectin-9 Molecules by Peripheral and Peritoneal Lymphocytes in Women with and without Endometriosis

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar 28;21(7):2343. doi: 10.3390/ijms21072343.

Abstract

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that is associated with chronic pelvic inflammation, pain, and infertility. Although substantial evidence supports that immunological alterations contribute to its pathogenesis and we previously posed a pivotal role of Galectin-9 (Gal-9) in this disorder, the involvement of the TIM-3/Gal-9 pathway in the development of endometriosis-associated immunological abnormalities is not yet known. In the present study, multicolor flow cytometry was used to compare the immunophenotype and cell surface expression of TIM-3 and Gal-9 molecules on peripheral blood (PB) and peritoneal fluid (PF) lymphocytes of women with and without endometriosis. We found an altered distribution of different lymphocyte subpopulations, a markedly decreased TIM-3 labeling on all T and NK subsets and a significantly increased Gal-9 positivity on peripheral CD4+ T and Treg cells of the affected cohort. Furthermore, a significantly increased TIM-3 expression on CD4+T-cells and elevated Gal-9 labeling on all T and NK subsets was also revealed in the PF of the examined patients. In conclusion, our results suggest a persistent activation and disturbed TIM-3/Gal-9-dependent regulatory function in endometriosis, which may be involved in the impaired immune surveillance mechanisms, promotes the survival of ectopic lesions, and aids the evolution of reproductive failures in endometriosis.

Keywords: Galectin-9; TIM-3; endometriosis; flow cytometry; immunology; pathogenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ascitic Fluid / cytology
  • Ascitic Fluid / pathology
  • Endometriosis / blood
  • Endometriosis / pathology*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Galectins / analysis*
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Galectins
  • HAVCR2 protein, human
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • LGALS9 protein, human