Characteristics of perforin expressing lymphocytes within the first trimester decidua of human pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
The number of perforin (P)-positive cells in decidua of pregnancy is larger than that observed in any other pathological condition. The aim was to investigate the distribution and the phenotype of P+ cells.


METHODS
Decidual tissue was obtained from the first trimester vaginal termination of pregnancy. Tissue distribution of P+ cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The method for simultaneous measurement of P and cell surface is presented.


RESULTS
There is no difference in number and distribution of P+ cells between decidua basalis (DB) and decidua parietalis (DP). The percentage of P+ decidual lymphocytes (DL) is two times higher than in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) (55% vs. 27%), and the prevalent phenotype is CD3- CD4- CD8- CD2+ (95%) CD11c+ (68%) and CD56+ (82%). CD56bright+ DL are also Pbright+ and this is the largest DL subpopulation (42.4% DL). Two different subpopulations of CD8+ DL exist: 1) CD8bright+, which are CD3+ CD56- P- and 2) CD8dim+, which are CD3- CD56+ P+.


CONCLUSIONS
P expressing DL are prevalently nonclassical NK cells (CD16-) with low cytolytic activity but fully equipped with potent cytolytic machinery (Pbright+). There are no classical cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) (CD3+ CD8+ P+) in the decidua, and all CD8+ P+ cells are CD3- CD56+. The number of P+ cells is even higher in DP in the vicinity of noninvasive trophoblast, than in DB.
Rukavina
D
D
Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, Croatia.
Rubesa
G
G
Gudelj
L
L
Haller
H
H
Podack
E R
ER
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D003656:Decidua / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000737:chemistry; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000276:immunology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D054353:Perforin