title: ICAM-1 expression on immune cells in chronic villitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  ICAM-1 expression on the villous syncytiotrophoblast (ST) is believed to participate in migration of maternal cells into the inflamed villi regardless of villitis etiology. However, its expression on immune cells in chronic villitis (CV) has yet to be analyzed. ICAM-1 induces cell-cell adhesion allowing intercellular communication, T cell-mediated defense mechanism, and inflammatory response.
  
  
  METHODS
  21 cases of CV (all without an identifiable etiologic agent) and 3 control placentas were analyzed using ICAM-1, and for immune cells CD45, CD3 and CD68. These cells were subdivided according to their location in inflamed villi: a) within the inflamed villi and b) outside forming perivillous aggregates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Large amounts of CD45, CD3 and CD68 were found within the inflamed villi and forming perivillous aggregates attached to areas of trophoblastic loss. Inflamed villi usually showed ICAM-1+ ST. The majority of immune cells surrounding areas of trophoblastic rupture presented marked expression of ICAM-1. In contrast, a small number of immune cells within the inflamed villi exhibited ICAM-1 expression. Only some (<5%) inflamed villi without trophoblastic rupture and with ICAM-1+ ST presented adherence of immune cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In inflamed villi of chronic villitis, the level of ICAM-1 expression on immune cells depends on their location: high in number of cells in the perivillous region and low within the villi. The strongest expression of ICAM-1 on immune cells attached to areas of trophoblastic rupture suggests that the loss of trophoblast can lead to an amplification of the inflammatory response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: E S A
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Egal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Mariano
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Blotta
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Piña
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, São Leopoldo Mandic Institute and Research Center, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Montalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: aaltemani@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Altemani
mesh_terms: D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
keywords: ICAM-1; Macrophages; Monocytes; Placenta; T lymphocytes; Villitis