CD11b Expression on circulating leukocytes increases in preparation for parturition.
OBJECTIVE
Initiation of parturition is associated with migration of leukocytes to the reproductive tract. This migration is controlled in part by expression of adhesion molecules on the surface of leukocytes and vascular endothelial cells. Within the reproductive tract, certain endothelial adhesion molecules, including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), are up-regulated at the end of gestation. ICAM-1 binds to the beta(2) integrin CD11b on the leukocytes. In this study, we wanted to investigate whether complementary changes occur in expression of adhesion molecules on maternal leukocytes in preparation for parturition.


METHODS
We used flow cytometry to ascertain changes in adhesion molecules expression on leukocytes throughout third trimester and labor.


RESULTS
We found a significant increase in the expression of CD11b on monocytes and granulocytes in women at >37 weeks of gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
CD11b may be a key molecule for leukocyte trafficking to the reproductive tract at the end of pregnancy.
Luppi
Patrizia
P
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Immunogenetics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Irwin
Tracy E
TE
Simhan
Hyagriv
H
Deloia
Julie A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D036801:Parturition / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000276:immunology
D039481:CD11b Antigen; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1