Characteristics of perforin expressing lymphocytes within the first trimester decidua of human pregnancy.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Characteristics of perforin expressing lymphocytes within the first trimester decidua of human pregnancy.

Am J Reprod Immunol. 1995 May;33(5):394-404. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96070201
Rukavina D; Rubesa G; Gudelj L; Haller H; Podack ER; Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty,; University of Rijeka, Croatia.

Abstract: PROBLEM: The number of perforin (P)-positive cells in decidua of pregnancy is larger than that observed in any other pathological condition. The aim was to investigate the distribution and the phenotype of P+ cells. METHOD: Decidual tissue was obtained from the first trimester vaginal termination of pregnancy. Tissue distribution of P+ cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The method for simultaneous measurement of P and cell surface is presented. RESULTS: There is no difference in number and distribution of P+ cells between decidua basalis (DB) and decidua parietalis (DP). The percentage of P+ decidual lymphocytes (DL) is two times higher than in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) (55% vs. 27%), and the prevalent phenotype is CD3- CD4- CD8- CD2+ (95%) CD11c+ (68%) and CD56+ (82%). CD56bright+ DL are also Pbright+ and this is the largest DL subpopulation (42.4% DL). Two different subpopulations of CD8+ DL exist: 1) CD8bright+, which are CD3+ CD56- P- and 2) CD8dim+, which are CD3- CD56+ P+. CONCLUSION: P expressing DL are prevalently nonclassical NK cells (CD16-) with low cytolytic activity but fully equipped with potent cytolytic machinery (Pbright+). There are no classical cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) (CD3+ CD8+ P+) in the decidua, and all CD8+ P+ cells are CD3- CD56+. The number of P+ cells is even higher in DP in the vicinity of noninvasive trophoblast, than in DB.

Keywords: Antigens, CD56/ANALYSIS Antigens, CD8/ANALYSIS Biological Markers/ANALYSIS CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/CHEMISTRY Decidua/*IMMUNOLOGY Female Human Immunophenotyping Killer Cells, Natural/CHEMISTRY Membrane Glycoproteins/*ANALYSIS Pregnancy Pregnancy Trimester, First/*IMMUNOLOGY Staining Support, Non-U.S. Gov't T-Lymphocytes/*CHEMISTRY JOURNAL ARTICLE
960228
M9621076

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