Phenotypic analysis of adhesion molecules in first-trimester decidual tissue from chorion villus samples.
OBJECTIVE
First-trimester decidua contain CD56bright/CD16neg lymphocytes that phenotypically resemble a subset of peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells. Factor controlling their localization to decidua are unknown, but they may relate to trophoblast invasion, endometrial decidualization, and adhesion molecule expression.


METHODS
Ninety-one chorion villous samples (CVS) were screened for the presence of decidua, and selected specimens were analyzed for the expression of adhesion molecule pairs using a panel of monoclonal antibodies.


RESULTS
Lymphoid cells in CVS-derived decidua expressed CD56, PECAM, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and the integrins LFA-1, alpha E beta 7, and alpha 4 beta 1, and co-receptors for these molecules were expressed by decidual stromal cells, invasive trophoblasts, and venule endothelium. Some endothelium expressed a cuboidal phenotype.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of complimentary pairs of adhesion molecules by maternal lymphoid cells and by either extravillous cytotrophoblast or decidual stromal cells supports the hypothesis that these cells interact within decidua. Also, both LFA-1 and alpha 4 beta 1 may contribute to decidual localization of CD56bright NK cells.
Haynes
M K
MK
Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Wapner
R L
RL
Jackson
L G
LG
Smith
J B
JB
D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling; D003656:Decidua / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000032:analysis; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis
D019002:CD56 Antigen; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1