Fig. 1

Macrophages promote the proliferation and migration of ESCs in EMs. A Representative immunohistochemical detection of macrophages, stained with CD68, in human endometriosis ectopic lesions and normal endometrial tissues. (original magnification 200 ×) B Quantification of macrophage density (cells/per field at 200 × magnification) in human endometriosis ectopic lesions (n = 10) and normal endometrial tissues (n = 10). C Proliferative capability of ESCs with and without co-culture treatment assessed by CCK8 assay. D Proliferative capability of ESCs with and without treatment of co-culture assessed by Edu assay. (original magnification 200 ×) E Quantification of Edu incorporation, Edu incorporation rate (%) = Edu positive cells (green)/Hoechst-positive cells (blue). F Migration capability of ESCs with and without treatment of co-culture assessed by wound healing assay. (original magnification 40 ×) G Quantification of wound closure rate, wound closure rate (%) = (Scratch distance 0 h—Scratch distance 24 h)/Scratch distance 0 h. H Migration capability of ESCs with and without treatment of co-culture assessed by Transwell assay. (original magnification 200 ×) I Quantification of migrating cells per field at 200 × magnification. Data are presented as the mean ± SD of n = 3 independent experiments. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t test (B) and Mann–Whitney test (C, E, G, I). ****p < 0.0001, ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05, ns, non-significant vs. control group