Isolation of decidual lymphocytes from chorionic villus samples: phenotypic analysis and growth in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
Giemsa stained cell isolates prepared from chorionic villus samples (CVS) contain granulated cells morphologically similar to large granular lymphocytes.


METHODS
Phenotypic characterization of these cellular isolates by two-color immunofluorescence and subsequent in vitro culture in the presence of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) were done in order to determine whether CVS could serve as a source of decidual lymphocytes.


RESULTS
A major fraction of the CVS-derived lymphocytes were characterized as decidual NK cells, exhibiting high levels of CD56 expression (CD56+bright), without concomitant expression of CD16. The T cell population present in CVS-derived lymphocytes contained both CD4+ and CD8+ cells in a ratio somewhat reduced compared to that found in peripheral blood. While both T cells and CD56+bright cells from CVS proliferate in vitro in response to rIL-2 alone, preferential growth of CD56+bright cells was accomplished using a selective culture technique wherein co-culture with an irradiated, B lymphoblastoid cell line promoted the growth of CD56+ cells.


CONCLUSIONS
CVS contains decidual NK cells and T cells that proliferate in response to rIL-2 and/or third party stimulator cells. These culture techniques will allow investigations into the maturation and/or activation of decidual NK cells and T cells.
Haynes
M K
MK
Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Flanagan
M T
MT
Perussia
B
B
Jackson
L G
LG
Smith
J B
JB
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D007376:Interleukin-2