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.
Department of Pathology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Royal Victoria Infirmary, United Kingdom. neratzoula.vassiliadou@newcastle.ac.uk
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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