title: Immunohistochemical localization of macrophage CD68+, HLA-DR+, L1+ and CD44+ subsets in uterine endometrium during different phases of menstrual cycle.
abstract: Different tissue macrophage subsets were immunohistochemically examined in normal endometrial samples collected from proliferative (n=4), peri-ovulatory (n=6) and secretory (n=8) phases of menstrual cycles in women. The different macrophage subsets, namely CD68 (pan macrophage marker), CD44 (transmembrane adhesion molecule), HLA-DR (transmembrane heterodimeric protein involved in antigen presentation) and L1 (calprotectin)-positive cells, as well as, CD45 (common leucocytic antigen)-positive cells were examined on the basis of immunohistochemical staining, and areas of immunoprecipitation were analyzed morphometrically using computer-assisted video imaging system. The stage-specific distribution of receptors for estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) in endometrial cells were examined and morphometrically analyzed. There was an increase in the number of CD45+ cells (P < 0.01) and CD68+ cells (P < 0.05) in secretory phase endometrium compared with proliferative and peri-ovulatory phases. There was no remarkable cycle dependent pattern in HLA-DR+ and L1+ cells. However, there was an increase in CD44 immunopositive area in peri-ovulatory (P < 0.05) and in secretory (P < 0.01) phases of endometrium compared with proliferative phase endometrium. A higher (P < 0.01) degree of immunopositivity for ER was observed during peri-ovulatory phase, and for PR, during peri-ovulatory (P < 0.05) and secretory (P < 0.01) phases compared with proliferative phase of cycle. Positive correlations between areas occupied by (i) CD68+ cells and PR (P < 0.01), (ii) HLA-DR+ and L1+ cells (P < 0.05), (iii) CD45+ and CD68+ cells (P < 0.01), (iv) CD45+ and L1+ cells (P < 0.05), and (v) PR and L1+ cells (P < 0.05) were obtained. It appears that the recruitment of different macrophage subsets in human endometrium involves a complex set of endocrine and paracrine factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110 029.
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kar
authors.forename: Jayasree
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sengupta
authors.forename: Sunesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Vijaya Lakshmi
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ghosh
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015415:Biomarkers; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule