Partial characterization of uterine cells responsible for suppression of murine maternal anti-fetal immune responses.
Several studies have demonstrated that uterine cells are capable of suppressing in vitro immune responses in a nonspecific manner. Two types of cells have been implicated as responsible for suppression, cells with the features of macrophages and a small lymphocyte-like cell. In the present study the maternal anti-paternal mixed lymphocyte reaction was used to investigate further the characteristics of uterine suppressor cells. Three distinct suppressor cell populations were identified: highly suppressive macrophages, small lymphocyte-like cells, and a morphologically heterogeneous third population of highly suppressive cells. The data from this study suggest that pregnant murine uteri contain a variety of cells capable of discouraging lymphocyte proliferation in vitro.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology*