title: The phenotype of human placental macrophages and its variation with gestational age.
abstract: The antigenic phenotype of human villous stromal macrophages (M phi s) from first and third trimester placentas was analyzed using a large number of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to monocyte (Mo)/M phi-associated cell membrane determinants. The purpose of this study was to investigate M phi phenotypic heterogeneity to create a database for the correlation of M phi phenotype with specific immunologic functions. The results showed that villous stromal mononuclear cells express many cell surface antigens found on Mo and M phi s and that they are morphologically diverse, ranging in appearance from classic Hofbauer cells to spindle-shaped cells with long cytoplasmic processes. Villous stromal M phi s were the numerically dominant cell type in this structure and exhibited some major phenotypic differences from M phi s in other tissues. Comparison of first- and third-trimester placentas revealed variation in antigen expression with increasing gestational age, in particular of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinants: HLA-DR and HLA-DP antigen density was low on first-trimester villous M phi s and much higher on third-trimester M phi s while HLA-DQ was undetectable in the first trimester but present on cells in third trimester placentas. The CD1 (T6) antigen, found on Langerhans (LH) cells and cortical thymocytes, was detected on villous M phi s by two thirds of the MAbs directed against different epitopes on this determinant. Furthermore, comparison with similar studies of lymphoid tissues showed that villous M phi s and dendritic cells share the expression of a number of other cell surface antigens. Finally, it was shown that M phi s in first- and third-trimester villi exhibit strong reactivity with MAbs (Leu 3a,b) to the CD4 antigen that serves as the receptor for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), suggesting that these cells may be a portal of entry or reservoir for this virus in the fetuses of pregnant, HIV+ women.
authors.affiliation: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of the Health Sciences, Beer-Sheba, Israel.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braverman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salafia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buckley
mesh_terms: D000940:Antigenic Variation; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000032:analysis; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis; D015728:Receptors, HIV; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D015728:Receptors, HIV; D011991:Receptors, Virus