Fig. 10: Schematic diagram of this study. | Communications Biology

Fig. 10: Schematic diagram of this study.

From: Regulatory T cells induce polarization of pro-repair macrophages by secreting sFGL2 into the endometriotic milieu

Fig. 10

In stage I–II endometriosis, the increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines in ectopic milieu induces FGL2 secretion in Tregs. sFGL2 induces pro-repair macrophages skewing through the suppression of NF-κB and the activation of SHP2-ERK1/2-STAT3 pathway. sFGL2 also up-regulates MT expression in macrophages through STAT3 activation which further promotes pro-repair macrophage polarization. In addition, sFGL2-induced pro-repair macrophages inhibit Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation, while promote Th2 and Tregs differentiation. Taken together, sFGL2 mediated cross-talk between Tregs and macrophage alters the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory microenvironments and facilitates the formation of immune tolerance in stage III-IV endometriosis.

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