Flow cytometric characterisation of cell populations in human pregnancy decidua and isolation of decidual macrophages

Immunological properties of human decidual macrophages – a possible role in intrauterine immunity

“…2). These results agree well with previous detailed analysis of immune cell populations in human decidua (Vince et al 1990). Decidual macrophages can bind and phagocytose pathogenic bacteria and zymosan FACS analysis (Fig.…”

“…Systemic maternal infections (pyelonephritis) or localised infections (deciduitis) can potentially trigger parturition by the activation of the monocyte/ macrophage system in the decidua, where the intrauterine or maternal environment becomes hostile and threatens the survival of the fetal -maternal pair, thereby leading to preterm labour (Gómez et al 1997). Human decidua in the third trimester of pregnancy contains at least four different cell types: stromal cells, macrophages, T lymphocytes and granulocytes (Vince et al 1990). The contributions of these cells to the overall function of the tissue are still not fully understood.…”

“…This was carried as described previously (Vince et al 1990). Decidua, scraped from fetal membranes, were washed with Dulbecco's PBS to remove red blood cells.…”

“…The decidua contains a variety of immune cells, including T and B lymphocytes, granulocytes, natural killer cells and macrophages (Bulmer et al 1988, Vince et al 1990). However, the immunoregulatory contributions of each of these cells during pregnancy are not yet fully defined.…”

Choriodecidual leukocytes display a unique gene expression signature in spontaneous labor at term

“…This interface includes two areas of contact between the mother and the fetus: the decidua parietalis, which lines the uterine cavity not covered by the placenta and is juxtaposed to the chorion laeve; and the decidua basalis, which lays on the basal plate of the placenta and is invaded by the interstitial trophoblast [16,17]. Decidua parietalis is composed of stroma-type cells, glandular cells, and leukocytes [18][19][20][21], and the portion that is attainable is attached to the chorioamniotic membranes; therefore, this anatomical site is known as the choriodecidua [16]. Since the choriodecidua represents the major site of fetal antigenic exposure to the maternal immune system, our studies have focused on understanding the mechanisms whereby maternal leukocytes are recruited into the maternal-fetal interface and their role in the processes of term and preterm labor [22].…”