Modulation of perforin expression in the decidual and peripheral blood cytotoxic lymphocytes in culture.
OBJECTIVE
Perforin (P) is a cytolytic molecule located in intracellular granules of cytotoxic lymphocytes both in the peripheral blood and decidua of pregnancy. The aim was to analyze the kinetics of P expression during in vitro culture and modulation of P expression by adherent cells, their supernatants and mitogen (PHA) stimulation.


METHODS
P (intracellular antigen) was detected by flow cytometry in the suspension of first trimester pregnancy peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and decidual lymphocytes (DL).


RESULTS
A decrease of the percentage of P+ cells was obtained after 1 hr incubation and was prevented by addition of 30% of decidual adherent cells (DAC) or their supernatants. Upregulation of P expression was obtained when, in addition to adherent cells, DL and PBL were stimulated by PHA. DAC present in the culture in physiological concentrations prevent downregulation of P expression.


CONCLUSIONS
DAC located in the vicinity of decidual cytotoxic lymphocytes, owing to their unique ability to produce a wide range of substances on demand, contribute to the high level of P expression in the decidua of pregnancy.
Strbo
N
N
Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, Croatia.
Laskarin
G
G
Sotosek
V
V
Randić
L J
LJ
Podack
E R
ER
Rukavina
D
D
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000378:metabolism*
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D054353:Perforin