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.