[Changes of endometrial macrophages and nature kill cells during luteal phase and early pregnancy].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of endometrial microenvironment on pregnancy.


METHODS
The number of macrophage and nature kill (NK) cells in decidua and endometrium were determined in 19 cases of early pregnancy and 11 non-pregnant women respectively by cytometric analysis.


RESULTS
The percentages of macrophages (leukocyte antigen molecules CD14 positive) and NK cells (CD56 positive) were significantly increased in decidua of first trimester as compared with those in luteal endometrium (P < 0.01). The number of CD(56)(+)CD(16)(-) subset of NK cells increased significantly during early pregnancy. While the number of CD(56)(+)CD(16)(+) subset did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
The endometrial macrophages and NK cells may be involved in the mechanism of the fetal protective immune reaction during pregnancy.
Hong
Y
Y
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second University, Shanghai 200001, China.
Lin
Q
Q
Chen
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First
D019002:CD56 Antigen; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors