[Comparison between lymphocytic infiltration in early spontaneous abortions and in elective abortions with signs of disruption at the chorio-decidual interface].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to compare lymphocytic infiltrations in early spontaneous abortions with those with signs of disruption at the chorio-decidual interface in elective abortions. Determinations were performed on preparations received at the Anatomy-Pathology Services of Ospedale San Paolo, Savona (Italy) in 2005.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry studies were performed using antisera CD3, CD4 and CD14 with a DAB detection kit on a Ventana BenchMark automated slide staining system. The material was grouped into three classes: early spontaneous abortions (class 1); elective abortions with signs of disruption at the chorio-decidual interface (class 2); elective abortions without such signs (class 3).


RESULTS
Preparations from classes 1 and 2 shared a similar picture of lymphocytic activation and the presence of macrophagic elements. The test results demonstrated that the proportion of the T cell population increased with the rise in CD8+ lymphocytes in both class 1 and class 2 preparations.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that T-cell-mediated immune activation may the cause or one of the causes of spontaneous abortion and that the effects of disruption at the chorio-decidual interface observed in elective abortion provide a clue to initial signs of loss of pregnancy. From the discovery of a population without evident signs of active abortion (elective abortion with a disturbed chorio-decidual interface) but with evidence of initial lymphocytic activation compared with that devoid of such signs (elective abortion) one can conjecture that lymphocytic activation is a major factor in the process leading to early spontaneous abortion.
Caliendo
L
L
Unità Operativa Anatomia e Istologia Patologica e Citodiagnostica, ASL2 Ospedale San Paolo Savona, Via Genova 30, 17100 Savona, Italy. l.caliendo@asl2.liguria.it
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002823:Chorion / Q000473:pathology*; D003656:Decidua / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy
D015415:Biomarkers; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors