Expression of CCL22 and Infiltration by Regulatory T Cells are Increased in the Decidua of Human Miscarriage Placentas.
OBJECTIVE
Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a T-cell subpopulation with suppressive capacities, specifically attracted by CCL22. We aimed to investigate whether CCL22 is expressed in human placentas and whether its presence, together with Treg infiltration, is associated with miscarriage conditions.


METHODS
Paraffin samples were stained for CCL22 and for the Treg-specific transcription factor FoxP3. Expression levels were evaluated in a semi-quantitative manner. Double immunofluorescence was used for the identification of CCL22-producing cells.


RESULTS
In all placentas, trophoblasts expressed CCL22. Interestingly, expression in the decidua was only observed in miscarriage conditions. Maternal stromal cells expressed CCL22. Correlation with a higher presence of Treg in the decidua of abortive tissues was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that CCL22 is expressed in human placenta. Decidual expression was only observed in miscarriage conditions and correlates with Treg infiltration. Thus, CCL22 plays a role in human pregnancy and may occur as a negative feedback response to pro-inflammatory events during miscarriage conditions.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.|Abteilung für Klinische Pharmakologie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.
Christoph P
CP
Freier
Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.
Christina
C
Kuhn
Abteilung für Klinische Pharmakologie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.
Moritz
M
Rapp
Abteilung für Klinische Pharmakologie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.
Stefan
S
Endres
Pathologisches Institut, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität München, München, Germany.
Doris
D
Mayr
Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.
Klaus
K
Friese
Abteilung für Klinische Pharmakologie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV Bereich Gastroenterologie, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.
David
D
Anz
Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.
Udo
U
Jeschke
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054422:Chemokine CCL22 / Q000378:metabolism*; D003656:Decidua / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D054422:Chemokine CCL22
CCL22; FoxP3; decidua; miscarriage; pregnancy; regulatory T cells