Adhesion barriers inhibit cell proliferation, adhesion and invasion of primary endometriosis cells

Background: In the pathogenesis of endometriosis adhesions play a major role. Applying adhesion barrier on the peritoneal wound that might act as a seeding ground could also prevent endometrial cells to adhere, invade and grow and thus cause a relapse of the disease.

Methods: Cultured endometriosis cells were seeded on the media with or without the Intercoat® cellular barrier. Following six days of culture, all cells were collected and counted to determine the total number of live. Additionally a drop of Intercoat® was placed in the middle of a well in another experiment.

Results: After seeding the cells in the well it could be shown that adhesion of cells, which is mandatory for growth and proliferation, was inhibited after application of a thin Intercoat® layer. Moreover when putting a single drop of the substance in the well it could be shown that no cells adhered and grew in the area around and in the drop while growth was unremarkable further away.

Discussion: Our hypothesis was, that peritoneal defects after surgical intervention and tissue remodeling are a seeding ground for floating endometrial cells in the peritoneal fluid. By preventing direct contact with the defect adhesions of these cells could be inhibited and thus relapse rates for endometriosis could be lowered. It is the first time, that a direct interaction between a barrier agent and cells could be shown, especially as growth was inhibited in an area around the Intercoat drop.