The expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and their receptors in fallopian tubes with ectopic tubal gestation

Objective: To investigate the level of expression of the cytokines interleukin (IL) -8 and IL-6 and their receptors in fallopian tubes with tubal ectopic gestation. Design: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to study the expression of IL-8, CXCR1, CXCR2, IL-6, and IL-6 receptor alpha in fallopian tubes with tubal ectopic gestation in comparison with normal fallopian tubes. Setting: Hospital. Patient(s): We studied fallopian tubes from 50 patients with tubal ectopic gestation and normal fallopian tubes from 25 patients who had hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy for uterine or ovarian lesions. Intervention(s): The expression of the chemokines/cytokines and their receptors was evaluated by IHC. Main Outcome Measure(s): Level of expression and tissue distribution of the different antigens. Result(s): IHC results showed that the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8, as well as CXCR1, were significantly up-regulated, particularly near the implantation site in fallopian tubes with tubal gestation, while the expression levels of CXCR2 and IL-6R alpha were not changed in comparison with normal fallopian tubes. Conclusion(s): The results suggest a role for IL-6, IL-8, and CXCR1 in the pathophysiology of tubal ectopic gestation. (Fertil Steril (R) 2012;98:898-904. (C) 2012 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)