Evaluation of myeloid and lymphoid dendritic cells in peritoneal fluid in women with non-malignant ovarian tumors.

PROBLEM: Identification of myeloid and lymphoid dendritic cells (DCs) in peritoneal fluid (PF) and peripheral blood (PB) of patients with ovarian pathology.

METHOD OF STUDY: PF and PB were collected from 60 patients who underwent laparoscopy because of non-malignant ovarian tumors. Mononuclear cells were separated by gradient centrifugation. The cell surface antigens were determined by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies.

RESULTS

Both myeloid and lymphoid DCs were detected in PF and PB of women with ovarian tumors. The percentage of myeloid DCs was significantly higher in PF than in PB. The concentration of PF myeloid DCs was the highest (P < 0.05) in patients with dermoid cysts (0.67 x 10(6)/mL PF) in comparison with the other studied groups, excluding patients with normal pelvis.

CONCLUSIONS

Domination of myeloid and not lymphoid cells in PF may support the hypothesis that local PF immune disturbances may play a role in some non-malignant ovarian pathology.