Journal of International Reproductive Health/Family Planning ›› 2023, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4): 323-328.doi: 10.12280/gjszjk.20230024

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Tissue-Resident Macrophages and Common Ovarian Diseases

GUO Yan, DIAO Rui-ying, SU Dan-na, WANG Li-ping()   

  1. Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524023, Guangdong Province, China (GUO Yan, WANG Li-ping); Department of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518035, Guangdong Province, China (DIAO Rui-ying, SU Dan-na, WANG Li-ping)
  • Received:2023-01-18 Published:2023-07-15 Online:2023-07-26
  • Contact: WANG Li-ping E-mail:wlilyu@hotmail.com

Abstract:

In the ovary, there is a complex neuroendocrine and immune regulatory network. Tissueresident macrophages (TRMs) are a kind of innate immune cells that exist in most tissues and organs of human body. TRMs are independent of the peripheral circulation, with the ability of self-renewal. TRMs as the most abundant immune cells in the ovary mainly reside in the microenvironment that is composed of follicular membrane, corpus luteum, atresia follicles and interstitial tissue. The disorder of quantity, distribution and functional homeostasis of ovarian TRMs is related to female infertility, by affecting follicular development (including oocyte maturation and ovulation). The dysfunction of ovarian TRMs could result in the occurrence of common ovarian diseases, including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). In this review, we discuss the source and physiological function of ovarian TRMs, the mechanism of ovarian TRMs-related follicular development, and common ovarian diseases-related to the dysfunction of ovarian TRMs, so as to provide a potential treatment way for those ovarian diseases.

Key words: Ovary, Macrophages, Cellular microenvironment, Cysts, Polycystic ovary syndrome