Immunostaining of vascular, perivascular cells and stromal components in human placental villi.
Fetal placental vessels develop and adapt in order to supply the fetus with nutrients. Immunostaining by antibodies against blood clotting factors, cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion molecules, intermediate and contractile filaments, matrix components and enzymes give an overall view useful in assessing cell differentiation in placental villi. Endothelial cells stained positively for thrombomodulin, von Willebrand factor, CD34, CD31, cadherin-5, phalloidin and alpha 3-integrin. Trophoblastic cells were positive for cytokeratin, alpha 5 and alpha V integrins, L-prolyl hydroxylase and phalloidin. Myocytes from the media of stem villi exhibited positive vimentin, desmin, alpha-sm-actin and sm-myosin reactions but were CD26 negative. Myofibroblasts were vimentin, desmin, CD26, alpha-sm-actin and sm-myosin positive. Perivascular cells of intermediate and terminal villi were alpha-sm-actin, sm-myosin and anti-high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen (HMWMAA) positive. Trophoblastic and endothelial basement membranes were collagen IV positive. The most specific endothelial markers were cadherin-5, observed only at paracellular clefts, and von Willebrand factor. For perivascular cells, alpha-sm-actin, sm-myosin and HMWMAA provided a specific labeling. Differences in labeling intensity were noted along the cross section of the villous tree (vimentin, desmin, actin, myosin inward gradient). A continuity in the contractile function along the vessel length was indicated by alpha-sm-actin and sm-myosin positive cells, contrasting with the decreased von Willebrand reaction intensity. These data are discussed in relation to cell function and compared to cell culture results.
Kacemi
A
A
Université Pierre & Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Vervelle
C
C
Uzan
S
S
Challier
J C
JC
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000276:immunology; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003893:Desmin / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039201:Integrin alpha3beta1; D016023:Integrins / Q000276:immunology; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000276:immunology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D018180:Thrombomodulin / Q000378:metabolism; D014746:Vimentin / Q000276:immunology
D000199:Actins; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D003893:Desmin; D039201:Integrin alpha3beta1; D016023:Integrins; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018180:Thrombomodulin; D014746:Vimentin