A comparison of two populations of decidual cells by immunocytochemistry and prostaglandin production.
The decidua has been implicated in the control of human labour, particularly through changes in prostaglandin production, but this tissue contains a number of different cell types. A density gradient system was used to obtain two populations of cells from term human decidua, and these populations were characterised. The more dense cells (population B) was a mixed population, predominantly macrophages (80%), but small numbers of T- and B-lymphocytes were also present, as identified by immunocytochemistry. Most of these cell types also contained detectable levels of cyclooxygenase enzyme. The less-dense cell population (population A) did not contain significant numbers of the above cell types and released prolactin, suggesting that they were decidual stromal cells. This preparation of decidual stromal cells may be of use in defining the functions of these cells in labour.
Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
H
H
Khan
O
O
Ishihara
M G
MG
Elder
M H
MH
Sullivan
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002501:Centrifugation, Zonal; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011388:Prolactin / Q000032:analysis; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000032:analysis; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; D054630:Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 4; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011388:Prolactin; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; C516841:PTPRA protein, human; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; D054630:Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 4; D015232:Dinoprostone