Pre-implantation endometrial leukocytes in women with recurrent miscarriage.
Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the leukocyte populations in the endometrium of women suffering recurrent miscarriage. Mid-luteal phase endometrial biopsies were taken from 22 patients with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and from nine women with normal obstetric histories. The samples were dated histologically and stained with a panel of monoclonal antibodies to identify leukocytes. The outcome of any pregnancy in subsequent cycles following the biopsy was determined. Similar numbers of cluster designation (CD)3(+) and CD8(+) cells were seen in both groups. However, CD4(+), CD14(+), CD16(+), CD56(+) and MHC class II(+) cells were significantly higher in the recurrent miscarriage group than in the controls. Two patients had B cells (CD22(+)) in their endometrium. No CD57(+) cells were seen in the controls; however, eight of the patients had a few CD57(+) cells present. Only two patients, both from the recurrent miscarriage group, had CD69(+) leukocytes in their endometrium. Patients who had miscarriages following endometrial biopsy had significantly more CD4(+), CD8(+), CD14(+), CD16(+), and CD56(+) leukocytes in their endometrium than either those who had live births or women with proven fertility. A different population of leukocytes was found in the pre-implantation endometrium from recurrent miscarriage patients as compared to those from fertile controls. These differences were accentuated in women who had a miscarriage subsequent to the biopsy compared with those who subsequently had a live birth.
Quenby
S
S
Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, UK.
Bates
M
M
Doig
T
T
Brewster
J
J
Lewis-Jones
D I
DI
Johnson
P M
PM
Vince
G
G
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001706:Biopsy; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D047108:Embryonic Development; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D008183:Luteal Phase; D011247:Pregnancy; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D017452:Receptors, IgG