P expressing DL are prevalently nonclassical NK cells (CD16-) with low cytolytic activity but fully equipped with potent cytolytic machinery (Pbright+). There are no classical cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) (CD3+ CD8+ P+) in the decidua, and all CD8+ P+ cells are CD3- CD56+. The number of P+ cells is even higher in DP in the vicinity of noninvasive trophoblast, than in DB.
Our results show that significant decreases in the prevalence of perforin-positive lymphoid cells, their subpopulations, and mean fluorescence intensity for perforin are associated with pregnancy failure.
SUMMARYCell surface and cytoplasmic antigen expression by 35 CD3 ÿ decidual granular leucocyte (DGL) clones, derived from human endometrial tissue in the first trimester of pregnancy, has been compared with both that of fresh CD3 ÿ decidual leucocytes and that of CD3 ÿ peripheral blood natural killer (PBNK) cell clones (n 12). The majority of DGL clones retained the antigenic phenotype of fresh cells, although CD103 (HML-1) was expressed on 50% of DGL clones but only 17% of fresh DGL. Both cytoplasmic CD3z and CD3e chains were detected in > 90% of DGL clones in the absence of cell surface CD3. Cytoplasmic CD3z was present in almost all fresh CD3 ÿ DGL, whereas CD3e was not. Most DGL clones did not express surface Fcg receptors I-III (CD64, -32 and -16, respectively) and complement receptors (CR) types 1 and 2 (CD35 and 21, respectively), but 43% expressed CR3 (CD11b/18); in contrast, all PBNK clones were CR3. The NK cell-associated molecules Kp43 (CD94) and the p58 molecule recognized by the HP3E4 monoclonal antibody were both present on a higher proportion of CD3 ÿ PBNK (91% and 50%, respectively) than DGL clones (31% and 14%, respectively), despite expression of CD94 by > 90% of fresh CD56 decidual leucocytes. Five of 35 CD3 ÿ DGL clones expressed cytoplasmic CD3z in the absence of expression of CD2, CD16 or the p58 molecule recognized by HP3E4. These variations between CD3 ÿ DGL and PBNK cell clones in expression of functional molecules may be related to previously reported differences in major histocompatibility complex-non-restricted cytotoxic activities between these two cell types.
Regeneration and tolerance factor (RTF) was originally identified in the placenta of mice and the isolated protein shown to have suppressive effects. In these studies, the gene cloned from thymus tissue was mapped to human chromosome 12. The role of recombinant RTF on cytokines was examined. In addition, we examined the human placenta by immunohistochemistry for RTF expression. RTF was expressed at the peripheral layer of cytotrophoblast in 7–9‐week‐old placentas. Using the RTF gene sequence, a recombinant protein was prepared and shown to induce IL‐10 production. These data indicate that RTF is expressed by the tissues most intimately involved at the maternal‐fetal interface, and its biological activity is capable of producing the necessary immune response for initiating and maintaining the maternal‐fetal relationship.
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