Neurochemical and cellular markers in human cervix of late pregnant, postpartal and non-pregnant women.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to evaluate the peptidergic innervation and the dendritic cell content in the cervix uteri.


METHODS
Cervical biopsies were obtained from late pregnant (n=5), postpartal (n=5) and non-pregnant (n=5) women. The samples were prepared for immunohistochemistry using antibodies to protein S-100 (S-100), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), human peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHM 27), neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), and human histocompatibility complex class II subregion DR (HLA-DR).


RESULTS
Nerve fibers positive for protein S-100, and dendritic cells positive for S-100 and HLA-DR were abundant in the cervix, especially at late pregnancy. CGRP, VIP, PHM-27 and NPY positive nerve fibers were present in non-pregnant, short nerve fibers and scattered immunoreactivity at term, and further scattered immunoreactivity after parturition. NPY positive nerve fibers were decreased at term, and after parturition a scattered immunoreactivity was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The abundant protein S-100 positive nerve fibers implies an impact of myelinated nerves in the cervix uteri during pregnancy. The abundant dendritic cells, positive for HLA-DR and S-100, especially at term, indicates a general activation of the immune system until late pregnancy and parturition. The changed occurrence and distribution of immunoreactivity for CGRP, VIP and PHM-27 suggest a release of these neuropeptides until term. The changes in NPY immunoreactivity indicate a release of NPY around parturition.
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Y
Y
Stjernholm
M
M
Sennström
L
L
Granström
G
G
Ekman
Y
Y
Liang
O
O
Johansson
D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D009479:Neuropeptides