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Toll‐Like Receptor 4 Expression in Decidual Cells and Interstitial Trophoblasts Across Human Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Schatz Frederic,
Kayisli Umit A.,
Vatandaslar Emre,
Ocak Nehir,
Guller Seth,
Abrahams Vikki M.,
Krikun Graciela,
Lockwood Charles J.
Publication year - 2012
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 - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01148.x
Subject(s) - decidua , trophoblast , decidual cells , andrology , endometrium , stromal cell , immunostaining , luteal phase , decidualization , follicular phase , biology , pregnancy , endocrinology , medicine , immunohistochemistry , placenta , immunology , fetus , genetics
Problem Toll‐like receptor‐4 ( TLR ‐4) protects against Gram‐negative bacteria expressed lipopolysaccharide and ‘danger signals’ from injured or dying cells. Although decidual cells ( DC s) and interstitial trophoblasts ( IT s) are in close contact, TLR ‐4 has been studied extensively only in IT s. Method of study Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded serial sections of endometrium in follicular and luteal phases and deciduas from first and second trimester elective terminations and third trimester normal deliveries were immunostained for TLR ‐4, trophoblast‐specific cytokeratin, and DC ‐specific vimentin. HSCORE assessed TLR ‐4 immunostaining in DC s versus IT s. Results TLR ‐4 HSCORES were significantly higher in: (i) first trimester DC s than luteal phase pre‐decidual stromal cells; (ii) first and third versus second trimester DC s, but similar between third trimester deciduas parietalis and basalis; (iii) first versus second trimester IT s; (iv) DC s versus IT s across gestation. Conclusion Higher TLR ‐4 in DC s than IT s suggests DC s as primary targets for Gram‐negative bacteria and/or inflammation‐related danger signals.