MDSCs drive the process of endometriosis by enhancing angiogenesis and are a new potential therapeutic target

Zhang, Tao; Zhou, Juhua; Man, Gene Chi Wai; Leung, Kam Tong; Liang, Bo; Xiao, Bo; Ma, Xinting; Huang, Shaoyan; Huang, Huaxiang; Hegde, Venkatesh L.; Zhong, Yin; Li, Yanmin; Kong, Grace Wing Shan; Yiu, Alice Ka Wah; Kwong, Joseph; Ng, Pak Cheung; Lessey, Bruce A.; Nagarkatti, Prakash S.; Nagarkatti, Mitzi; Wang, Chi Chiu

Abstract

Endometriosis affects women of reproductive age via unclear immunological mechanism(s). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid cells with potent immunosuppressive and angiogenic properties. Here, we found MDSCs significantly increased in the peripheral blood of patients with endometriosis and in the peritoneal cavity of a mouse model of surgically induced endometriosis. Majority of MDSCs were granulocytic, produced ROS, and arginase, and suppressed T-cell proliferation. Depletion of MDSCs by antiGr-1 antibody dramatically suppressed development of endometrial lesions in mice. The chemokines CXCL1, 2, and 5 were expressed at sites of lesion while MDSCs expressed CXCR-2. These CXC-chemokines promoted MDSC migration toward endometriotic implants both in vitro and in vivo. Also, CXCR2-deficient mice show significantly decreased MDSC induction, endometrial lesions, and angiogenesis. Importantly, adoptive transfer of MDSCs into CXCR2-KO mice restored endometriotic growth and angiogenesis. Together, this study demonstrates that MDSCs play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and identifies a novel CXC-chemokine and receptor for the recruitment of MDSCs, thereby providing a potential target for endometriosis treatment.

Citation

Zhang, T., Zhou, J., Man, G. C. W., Leung, K. T., Liang, B., Xiao, B., …Wang, C. C. (2018). MDSCs drive the process of endometriosis by enhancing angiogenesis and are a new potential therapeutic target. European Journal of Immunology, 48(6), 1059-1073. https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.201747417

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Mar 13, 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Deposit Date: Jun 23, 2023
• Journal: European Journal of Immunology
• Print ISSN: 0014-2980
• Electronic ISSN: 1521-4141
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 48
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1059-1073
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.201747417
• Keywords: Immunology; Immunology and Allergy; Angiogenesis; CXCR2; Endometriosis; Immunosuppression; Myeloid-derived; suppressor cells