Macrophages in human reproductive tissues contain luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptors.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether macrophages in human reproductive tissues contain luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptor mRNA and receptor protein that can bind 125I-hCG.


METHODS
Macrophages isolated from term pregnancy human decidua were used for LH/hCG receptor detection by in situ hybridization for receptor mRNA and immunocytochemistry for a macrophage marker, CD68, performed alone and in combination, reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction, Western and ligand blotting. The LH/hCG receptor presence in macrophages in late luteal phase human endometria and corpora lutea was determined by sequential performance of in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry.


RESULTS
The macrophages present in term pregnancy human decidua and late luteal phase human endometria and corpora lutea contain LH/hCG receptors.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first demonstration of macrophages present in human reproductive tissues containing LH/hCG receptors. The receptor presence suggests that LH and hCG may regulate macrophage functions in gonadal as well as in non-gonadal target tissues.
Zhang
Y M
YM
Division of Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
Rao
Ch V
ChV
Lei
Z M
ZM
D015153:Blotting, Western; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008024:Ligands; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D008024:Ligands; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011974:Receptors, LH