Comparison of macrophage phenotype between decidua basalis and decidua parietalis by flow cytometry

Placenta. 2008 May;29(5):405-12. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2008.02.004. Epub 2008 Mar 18.

Abstract

The two regions of the maternal decidua, decidua basalis and decidua parietalis, differ in the extent of trophoblast invasion and consequently in cytokines and other biological mediators, extracellular matrix and cellular components. Our aim was to compare the phenotypic features of macrophages from the two decidual regions across a broad gestational age range. We isolated macrophages by enzymatic digestion from healthy decidua samples obtained after elective abortions, at 9-18-week and at 19-23-weeks, or after term deliveries (caesarean sections at term and spontaneous term vaginal deliveries). Macrophages were analysed by flow cytometry applying the same instrument settings to all the samples to allow semi-quantitative comparison of the expression of a particular marker between different samples. We found higher expressions of CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR, suggestive of a more activated phenotype of decidual macrophages, at early/mid pregnancy than at term. Marginal differences were found between term decidual macrophages obtained after spontaneous vaginal deliveries or caesarean sections which imply that the parturient process is not associated with decidual macrophage activation. The expressions of CD105, DC-SIGN and MMR were the strongest in decidua basalis of mid pregnancy and indicate the importance of decidual macrophages in tissue homeostasis at the uteroplacental interface.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • B7-1 Antigen / metabolism
  • B7-2 Antigen / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Decidua / cytology*
  • Decidua / physiology*
  • Endoglin
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gestational Age
  • HLA-DR Antigens / metabolism
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / physiology*
  • Mannose Receptor
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Pregnancy
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • Biomarkers
  • CD86 protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DC-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin
  • ENG protein, human
  • Endoglin
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
  • Mannose Receptor
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface