IMMUNOHISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DECIDUAL LEUKOCYTIC INFILTRATE RELATED TO ENDOMETRIAL GLAND EPITHELIUM IN EARLY HUMAN-PREGNANCY

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  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (1) , 35-44
Abstract
The leukocytic infiltrate which is associated with maternal endometrial glands in decidual tissue in early human pregnancy was shown by immunohistology to consist mainly of macrophages and T lymphocytes. Cells expressing HLA-DR were prominent around the glands, and most were also reactive for the Leu-M3 tissue macrophage antigen. HLA-DR-positive T cells were identified by double immunoenzymatic labeling, situated both immediately adjacent to the gland epithelium and in adjacent aggregates. Some accumulation of HLA-DR-positive cells was also noted around the glands in non-pregnant endometrium during the mid and late secretory phases, and occasional T6 antigen-bearing cells were also detected. Occasional HLA-DR-positive surface and gland epithelial cells were observed in both pregnant and non-pregnant specimens. These results indicate that, in early human pregnancy, the endometrial glands may be subject to a form of active immune response partially under hormonal control.