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. 2009 Nov 23:7:132.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-132.

Specific subsets of immune cells in human decidua differ between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia--a prospective observational study

Lorenz Rieger  1 , Sabine Segerer, Thomas Bernar, Michaela Kapp, Monika Majic, Ann-Katrin Morr, Johannes Dietl, Ulrike Kämmerer
Affiliations

Specific subsets of immune cells in human decidua differ between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia--a prospective observational study

Lorenz Rieger et al. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. .

Abstract

Background: Changes in the balance of decidual leucocyte populations may lead to an unfavourable uterine microenvironment which may be associated with the development of preeclampsia (PE). In this study, we therefore investigated the leucocyte subpopulations in decidual tissues of 33 women with preeclampsia and 66 control patients.

Methods: Decidua was either obtained via curettage during cesarean section or dissected from the surface of the basal plate of the placenta after spontaneous delivery. We used FACS analysis to quantify decidual leukocytes (CD45), NK cells (CD56+/CD16+ and CD56++/CD16-), antigen presenting cells (HLA-DR, DC-Sign, CD14) and T/B cells (CD8, CD4, alpha-beta-T-cell receptor, gamma-delta-T-cell receptor, CD25, CD19).

Results: The number of decidual cytotoxic CD8+T-lymphocytes (P < 0.02), alpha-beta -T-cell receptor positive T cells (P < 0.03) and of CD56+/CD16+ NK cells (P < 0.03) was lower in decidua from women with PE than in decidua from control patients.

Conclusion: The observed reduction of specific leucocyte subsets could create a microenvironment which is unfavourable for an appropriate placentation and could thereby be involved in the development of preeclamptic symptoms.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Example of a flow cytometric analysis of a patient at 28 weeks of gestation (control group).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Box and whisker plots provide the median expression of CD45 including quartiles. The percentage is given in relation to the total cell suspension as a whole. Preeclampsia group (PE): n = 33 patients; Control group: n = 66 patients.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Box and whisker plots provide the median expression of CD56/CD16, CD56/CD16 and CD 16 including quartiles. The percentage is given in relation the CD45+ cells. Preeclampsia group (PE): n = 33 patients; Control group: n = 66 patients.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Box and whisker plots provide the median expression of HLA-DR, DC-Sign and CD14 including quartiles. The percentage is given in relation the CD45+ cells. Preeclampsia group (PE): n = 33 patients; Control group: n = 66 patients.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Box and whisker plots provide the median expression of CD8, αβ-T-cell receptor, CD4, γδ-T-cell receptor, CD25, CD19 including quartiles. The percentage is given in relation the CD45+ cells. Preeclampsia group (PE): n = 33 patients; Control group: n = 66 patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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