Endometriosis is a gynecological disease that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and is associated with severe pelvic pain and infertility. Despite the condition’s widespread prevalence and significant symptoms, the immune mechanisms at play in the female reproductive tract remain largely unstudied. We know that the female reproductive tract must tightly regulate its immune response to distinguish between pathogens and other foreign entities, such as a fetus. By investigating these immune responses, I can uncover critical insights that could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies to address endometriosis and improve the lives of millions of women worldwide.

My SPARK project addresses this knowledge gap by focusing on the role of the adaptive immune system, particularly the reactivity of T cells in menstrual blood. I aim to determine whether women with endometriosis possess distinct antigen-specific T cell populations and provide key insights into how their immune responses may differ from those without the disease. I will begin by optimizing methods to collect and culture viable T cells from menstrual blood. Once these protocols are in place, I will test a variety of stimuli to assess whether endometrial lymphocytes show activation and immune responses.

This non-invasive approach offers a novel way to investigate the immune environment of the endometrium, with potential applications beyond endometriosis to other gynecological disorders. By comparing T cell responses between endometriosis patients and healthy donors, my research could provide groundbreaking insights into the role of T lymphocytes in reproductive health. This high-risk, high-reward project could transform our understanding of the immune system’s role in endometriosis and pave the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in gynecological health.