Specific subsets of immune cells in human decidua differ between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia--a prospective observational study.
BACKGROUND
Changes in the balance of decidual leucocyte populations may lead to an unfavourable uterine microenvironment which may be associated with the development of preeclampsia (PE). In this study, we therefore investigated the leucocyte subpopulations in decidual tissues of 33 women with preeclampsia and 66 control patients.


METHODS
Decidua was either obtained via curettage during cesarean section or dissected from the surface of the basal plate of the placenta after spontaneous delivery. We used FACS analysis to quantify decidual leukocytes (CD45), NK cells (CD56+/CD16+ and CD56++/CD16-), antigen presenting cells (HLA-DR, DC-Sign, CD14) and T/B cells (CD8, CD4, alpha-beta-T-cell receptor, gamma-delta-T-cell receptor, CD25, CD19).


RESULTS
The number of decidual cytotoxic CD8+T-lymphocytes (P < 0.02), alpha-beta -T-cell receptor positive T cells (P < 0.03) and of CD56+/CD16+ NK cells (P < 0.03) was lower in decidua from women with PE than in decidua from control patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed reduction of specific leucocyte subsets could create a microenvironment which is unfavourable for an appropriate placentation and could thereby be involved in the development of preeclamptic symptoms.
Rieger
Lorenz
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str, 4, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany.
Segerer
Sabine
S
Bernar
Thomas
T
Kapp
Michaela
M
Majic
Monika
M
Morr
Ann-Katrin
AK
Dietl
Johannes
J
Kämmerer
Ulrike
U
D000328:Adult; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy