Open AccessMacrophage heterogeneity in human fetal tissue. Fetal macrophages
Author(s) -
OLIVER A. M.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1990.tb03309.x
Subject(s) - macrophage , immunophenotyping , biology , population , monoclonal antibody , immunology , monocyte , fetus , immune system , cd68 , antibody , pathology , antigen , immunohistochemistry , medicine , pregnancy , in vitro , biochemistry , environmental health , genetics
SUMMARY The immunophenotype of the macrophage population in human fetal tissue was studied, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against cells of the macrophage/monocyte lineage. Using a double‐labelling technique two main populations were observed in tissue from 14 weeks of estimated gcstational age (EGA): EBM11 + DR + and EBM11 DR − cells of which a small proportion were also RFD7 + . Most macrophages were negative with 3.9, an antibody specific for the adhesion molecule P150.95 and LP9 which is specific for a lysosomal enzyme. The exception to this was a small population of positive cells in the thymus. Small numbers of 3.9 + cells were also infrequently observed in tissue at and above 17 weeks of EGA. while occasional RFD9 + cells were only observed in most tissues, before this time. The higher percentage of macrophages were DR + DQ − DP − . with a few DQ + cells appearing at 15 weeks of EGA. In the thymus. DQ + cells outnumbered DP + cells especially in the medulla. These results indicate the heterogeneous and immature nature of the fetal macrophage population and point to the importance of age, tissue‐specific factors and probable immune mediators in macrophage differentiation.