The human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DR expression and the distribution of T-lymphocytes in the fimbriae of the normal fallopian tube and during pelvic adhesion disease.

PROBLEM

Systematically to investigate the expression of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DR on the columnar epithelium and the content of T-lymphocytes in the fimbriae specimens of the fallopian tube from healthy women and from women with infertility and pelvic adhesions.

METHOD

The staining of HLA-DR expression on the columnar epithelium was judged on a four-graded scale according to the distribution of HLA-DR expression. The amount and distribution of T-lymphocytes were registered.

RESULTS

The biopsies from normal fimbriae contained sparsely infiltrating T-lymphocytes. On the columnar epithelial cells a patchy HLA-DR expression was observed that was more widespread in preovulatory cases. In some biopsies from sactosalpinx, the HLA-DR expression was found completely to cover the columnar epithelial cells and was associated with a heavy infiltration of T-lymphocytes. CD4+ T-lymphocytes dominated in all but one adhesion biopsies.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate an ongoing immunological activity in pelvic adhesions that might immunologically influence fertility.