IL-8 and follicular fluid: insights into the mechanisms of endometriosis development

Authors

  • Anne Teresa Heinrich Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3093-3192
  • Ada Leoni Terres-Wurtz Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
  • Elisa Vacca Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
  • Katrin E. Tagscherer Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0657-6399
  • Bartosz Linek Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2416-565X
  • Susanne Gebhard Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
  • Annette Hasenburg Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1547-4968
  • Walburgis Brenner Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany, E-mail: brenner@uni-mainz.de https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1511-6212
  • Roxana Schwab Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1489-0011

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2025-8885

Keywords:

endometriosis, IL-8, biological fluids, CXCR1, CXCR2, follicular fluids

Abstract

Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition characterised by the growth of endometrial-like tissue both within the muscular layer of the uterus and outside of it, affecting 10-15 % of women of reproductive age. This study investigated the role of the surrounding environment, specifically the potential role of follicular fluid (FF) and particularly its cytokine IL-8, in the growth and invasiveness of endometrial epithelial cells. Using the epithelial-like endometriotic cell line 12Z, we analysed cell viability and migration after exposure to three different FF pools at various dilutions. Our results demonstrated that FF increased cell viability, with the most significant effects at a 50 % (v/v) dilution after 24 h. Moreover, FF treatment reduced cell migration, while FF as a chemoattractant induced increased chemotactic cell migration, especially with pool FF1 as a chemoattractant. This FF pool contained the highest IL-8 concentration. Like FF, IL-8 showed a strong chemotactic effect, significantly reduced by inhibiting IL-8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2, confirming IL-8’s role in chemotaxis. FF treatment induced the EMT marker N-cadherin and enhanced E-cadherin, indicating a hybrid cell EMT state. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that FF, particularly through IL-8 signalling, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis by enhancing cell viability and influencing migration. These findings provide insights into how the local microenvironment contributes to disease progression.

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Published

2026-01-02

How to Cite

Heinrich, A. T., Terres-Wurtz, A. L., Vacca, E., Tagscherer, K. E., Linek, B., Gebhard, S., … Schwab, R. (2026). IL-8 and follicular fluid: insights into the mechanisms of endometriosis development. EXCLI Journal, 25, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2025-8885

Issue

Vol. 25 (2026)

Section

Original articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Anne Teresa Heinrich, Ada Leoni Terres-Wurtz, Elisa Vacca, Katrin E. Tagscherer, Bartosz Linek, Susanne Gebhard, Annette Hasenburg, Walburgis Brenner, Roxana Schwab

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