Premium
Suppressor macrophages in early pregnancy human decidua
Author(s) -
Lidström Charlotte M.,
Matthiesen Leif S.,
Berg Göran,
Sharma Surendra,
Ernerudh Jan H.,
Ekerfelt Christia B.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0897.2002.00009.x
Subject(s) - decidua , elispot , secretion , immune system , immunology , biology , cytokine , decidual cells , pregnancy , endocrinology , placenta , t cell , fetus , genetics
Local immune modulation has been shown to be of considerable importance for successful pregnancy. We have previously detected the secretion of IFN‐γ, IL‐4 and IL‐10 in human decidua from early normal pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the cell types in decidua, as well as in peripheral blood, responsible for cytokine secretion. METHODS: Decidual tissue and peripheral blood was collected from 20 healthy women undergoing surgical abortion during first trimester pregnancy. Monocytes/macrophages and NK cells were obtained by magnetic cell separation and the cytokine secretion was detected by a sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot‐forming cell (ELISPOT) assay. RESULTS: Decidual and peripheral monocytes/ macrophages and NK cells spontaneously secrete IFN‐γ, IL‐4 and IL‐10. The number of IL‐10 secreting cells was significantly higher among decidual macrophages compared with decidual non‐monocytic cells and blood monocytes/macrophages. These differences were not seen for IFN‐γ or IL‐4. Our results indicate that macrophages subserve important suppressive functions in the pregnant uterus.