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Macrophages in Human Reproductive Tissues Contain Luteinizing Hormone/Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptors
Author(s) -
Zhang Y. M.,
Rao Ch. V.,
Lei Z. M.
Publication year - 2003
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.1600-0897.2003.00013.x
Subject(s) - decidua , human chorionic gonadotropin , biology , endocrinology , luteinizing hormone , medicine , receptor , in situ hybridization , immunocytochemistry , luteal phase , gonadotropin , andrology , hormone , pregnancy , placenta , messenger rna , fetus , biochemistry , genetics , gene
PROBLEM: To determine whether macrophages in human reproductive tissues contain luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptor mRNA and receptor protein that can bind 125 I‐hCG. METHOD OF STUDY: Macrophages isolated from term pregnancy human decidua were used for LH/hCG receptor detection by in situ hybridization for receptor mRNA and immunocytochemistry for a macrophage marker, CD68, performed alone and in combination, reverse transcription‐nested polymerase chain reaction, Western and ligand blotting. The LH/hCG receptor presence in macrophages in late luteal phase human endometria and corpora lutea was determined by sequential performance of in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: The macrophages present in term pregnancy human decidua and late luteal phase human endometria and corpora lutea contain LH/hCG receptors. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration of macrophages present in human reproductive tissues containing LH/hCG receptors. The receptor presence suggests that LH and hCG may regulate macrophage functions in gonadal as well as in non‐gonadal target tissues.