Quantitative analysis of T lymphocyte subsets in pregnant and nonpregnant human endometrium.
The purpose of this study was to characterize and quantify T lymphocyte populations and to investigate T cell antigen receptor (TcR) expression in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy. Frozen sections of endometrium were labeled using the highly sensitive avidinbiotin method and a panel of monoclonal antibodies. CD3-positive, CD8-positive, CD4-positive, TcR alpha beta-positive, and TcR gamma delta-positive cells were demonstrated in all phases of the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy. There were no differences between pregnant and nonpregnant human endometrium in the proportion that each T cell subpopulation formed relative to the total CD3-positive T cell population. However, significantly fewer T cells were detected in early pregnant compared with nonpregnant endometrium. Our results clarify the TcR expression by T cells in pregnant and nonpregnant human endometrium and indicate that endometrial T cells are unlikely to play a significant role in implantation and the maintenance of human pregnancy since they decrease in number considerably in the first trimester of gestation.
Vassiliadou
N
N
Department of Pathology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Royal Victoria Infirmary, United Kingdom. neratzoula.vassiliadou@newcastle.ac.uk
Bulmer
J N
JN
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008598:Menstruation; D011247:Pregnancy; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta