title: Differential distribution and phenotype of decidual macrophages in preeclamptic versus control pregnancies.
abstract: Maternal immune tolerance of the semiallogeneic fetus is a complex phenomenon. Macrophages are an abundant cell population in the human decidua, and changes in distribution or phenotype may be involved in the development of preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and phenotype of macrophages in preterm preeclamptic, preterm control, and term control placentas. Placentas of preterm preeclamptic (n = 6), preterm control (n = 5), and term control pregnancies (n = 6) were sequentially immunohistochemically stained for CD14, CD163, DC SIGN, and IL-10. The distributions of CD14(+), CD163(+), DC SIGN(+), IL-10(+), CD163(+)/CD14(+), DC SIGN(+)/CD14(+), and Flt-1/CD14(+) cells were determined by double staining and by digital image analysis of sequential photomicrographs. CD14 and CD163 expression increased significantly in preterm preeclamptic decidua basalis compared with preterm control pregnancies (P = 0.0006 and P = 0.034, respectively). IL-10 expression was significantly lower in the decidua parietalis of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies compared with preterm control pregnancies (P = 0.03). The CD163/CD14 ratio was significantly lower in the decidua basalis (P = 0.0293) and the DC SIGN/CD14 ratio was significantly higher in the decidua basalis (P < 0.0001) and parietalis (P < 0.0001) of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies compared with preterm control pregnancies. CD14(+) macrophages did express Flt-1. Alterations in distribution and phenotype of macrophages in the decidua of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies compared with control pregnancies may contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dorrith
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schonkeren
authors.forename: Marie-Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: van der Hoorn
authors.forename: Padmini
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khedoe
authors.forename: Godelieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Swings
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Beelen
authors.forename: Frans
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Claas
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Kooten
authors.forename: Emile
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Heer
authors.forename: Sicco
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scherjon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D000098902:CD163 Antigen; D000099215:DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016753:Interleukin-10; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D000098902:CD163 Antigen; D000099215:DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin; C501162:FLT1 protein, human