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Yin Z, Su J, Lu L, Yang L, Su S, Jiang X. Visual identification of three kinds of human decidual tissues from elective termination of pregnancy. Placenta 2024; 146:89-100. [PMID: 38215630 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The decidua can be classified into the decidua basalis, decidua capsularis and decidua parietalis. This study aimed to visually identify these three kinds of decidual tissues from fresh samples obtained in early pregnancy based on their macroscopic appearances, which can be discerned visually. METHODS Decidual samples were collected from 15 pregnant women between 6 and 8 weeks of gestation after elective termination of pregnancy. We identified the three different kinds of fresh decidual tissues in early pregnancy according to their different macroscopic appearances by only the naked eye. H&E staining, in situ immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were performed to confirm the accuracy of this method. RESULTS We developed a method to discern the three different kinds of decidual tissues according to their individual macroscopic features. We found that the decidua parietalis was a thick tissue with less blood, with one side being intact epidermis and the other side being rough tissue. The decidua basalis had rough surfaces, a dense texture and high blood content. The decidua capsularis was a thin membrane tissue with or without blood clots. CK+/HLA-G+ extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs) and heme oxygenase-1+ (HMOX1+) decidual macrophages were present in large quantities in the decidua basalis and decidua capsularis but were nearly undetectable in the decidua parietalis. We also found a wide distribution of endovascular extravillous trophoblast cells (enEVTs), which participate in spiral artery remodelling in the decidua basalis. DISCUSSION We successfully identified three kinds of human decidual tissues from early pregnancy with the naked eye for the first time. This breakthrough method will greatly assist studies related to decidua during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Jingjing Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Linsen Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Liangliang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Shiyue Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Xiangxiang Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
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2
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Vondra S, Höbler AL, Lackner AI, Raffetseder J, Mihalic ZN, Vogel A, Saleh L, Kunihs V, Haslinger P, Wahrmann M, Husslein H, Oberle R, Kargl J, Haider S, Latos P, Schabbauer G, Knöfler M, Ernerudh J, Pollheimer J. The human placenta shapes the phenotype of decidual macrophages. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111977. [PMID: 36640334 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
During human pregnancy, placenta-derived extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invade the decidua and communicate with maternal immune cells. The decidua distinguishes into basalis (decB) and parietalis (decP). The latter remains unaffected by EVT invasion. By defining a specific gating strategy, we report the accumulation of macrophages in decB. We describe a decidua basalis-associated macrophage (decBAM) population with a differential transcriptome and secretome compared with decidua parietalis-associated macrophages (decPAMs). decBAMs are CD11chi and efficient inducers of Tregs, proliferate in situ, and secrete high levels of CXCL1, CXCL5, M-CSF, and IL-10. In contrast, decPAMs exert a dendritic cell-like, motile phenotype characterized by induced expression of HLA class II molecules, enhanced phagocytosis, and the ability to activate T cells. Strikingly, EVT-conditioned media convert decPAMs into a decBAM phenotype. These findings assign distinct macrophage phenotypes to decidual areas depending on placentation and further highlight a critical role for EVTs in the induction of decB-associated macrophage polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Vondra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Maternal-fetal Immunology Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna-Lena Höbler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Maternal-fetal Immunology Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Ian Lackner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Maternal-fetal Immunology Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johanna Raffetseder
- Division of Inflammation and Infection (II), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Zala Nikita Mihalic
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andrea Vogel
- Institute for Vascular Biology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Arginine Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leila Saleh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Placental Development Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Victoria Kunihs
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Placental Development Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Haslinger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Maternal-fetal Immunology Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Wahrmann
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Husslein
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Raimund Oberle
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Kargl
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sandra Haider
- Institute for Vascular Biology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulina Latos
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gernot Schabbauer
- Institute for Vascular Biology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Arginine Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Knöfler
- Institute for Vascular Biology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jürgen Pollheimer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Maternal-fetal Immunology Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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3
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Jing M, Chen X, Qiu H, He W, Zhou Y, Li D, Wang D, Jiao Y, Liu A. Insights into the immunomodulatory regulation of matrix metalloproteinase at the maternal-fetal interface during early pregnancy and pregnancy-related diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1067661. [PMID: 36700222 PMCID: PMC9869165 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1067661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Trophoblast immune cell interactions are central events in the immune microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface. Their abnormalities are potential causes of various pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia and recurrent spontaneous abortion. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) is highly homologous, zinc(II)-containing metalloproteinase involved in altered uterine hemodynamics, closely associated with uterine vascular remodeling. However, the interactions between MMP and the immune microenvironment remain unclear. Here we discuss the key roles and potential interplay of MMP with the immune microenvironment in the embryo implantation process and pregnancy-related diseases, which may contribute to understanding the establishment and maintenance of normal pregnancy and providing new therapeutic strategies. Recent studies have shown that several tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) effectively prevent invasive vascular disease by modulating the activity of MMP. We summarize the main findings of these studies and suggest the possibility of TIMPs as emerging biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for a range of complications induced by abnormalities in the immune microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface. MMP and TIMPs are promising targets for developing new immunotherapies to treat pregnancy-related diseases caused by immune imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Jing
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongxia Qiu
- Department of Obstetrics, Hangzhou Fuyang Women And Children Hospital, Fuyang, China
| | - Weihua He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Reproduction, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Dimin Wang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Yonghui Jiao, ; Dimin Wang, ; Aixia Liu,
| | - Yonghui Jiao
- Department of Reproduction, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China,*Correspondence: Yonghui Jiao, ; Dimin Wang, ; Aixia Liu,
| | - Aixia Liu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China,Department of Reproduction, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China,*Correspondence: Yonghui Jiao, ; Dimin Wang, ; Aixia Liu,
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Miller D, Garcia-Flores V, Romero R, Galaz J, Pique-Regi R, Gomez-Lopez N. Single-Cell Immunobiology of the Maternal-Fetal Interface. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 209:1450-1464. [PMID: 36192116 PMCID: PMC9536179 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy success requires constant dialogue between the mother and developing conceptus. Such crosstalk is facilitated through complex interactions between maternal and fetal cells at distinct tissue sites, collectively termed the "maternal-fetal interface." The emergence of single-cell technologies has enabled a deeper understanding of the unique processes taking place at the maternal-fetal interface as well as the discovery of novel pathways and immune and nonimmune cell types. Single-cell approaches have also been applied to decipher the cellular dynamics throughout pregnancy, in parturition, and in obstetrical syndromes such as recurrent spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, and preterm labor. Furthermore, single-cell technologies have been used during the recent COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate placental viral cell entry and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on maternal and fetal immunity. In this brief review, we summarize the current knowledge of cellular immunobiology in pregnancy and its complications that has been generated through single-cell investigations of the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; and
| | - Roger Pique-Regi
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
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5
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Understanding the Immune System in Fetal Protection and Maternal Infections during Pregnancy. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:7567708. [PMID: 35785037 PMCID: PMC9249541 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7567708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The fetal-maternal immune system determines the fate of pregnancy. The trophoblast cells not only give an active response against external stimuli but are also involved in secreting most of the cytokines. These cells have an essential function in fetal acceptance or fetal rejection. Other immune cells also play a pivotal role in carrying out a successful pregnancy. The disruption in this mechanism may lead to harmful effects on pregnancy. The placenta serves as an immune barrier in fetus protection against invading pathogens. Once the infections prevail, they may localize in placental and fetal tissues, and the presence of inflammation due to cytokines may have detrimental effects on pregnancy. Moreover, some pathogens are responsible for congenital fetal anomalies and affect almost all organs of the developing fetus. This review article is designed to address the bacterial and viral infections that threaten pregnancy and their possible outcomes. Moreover, training of the fetal immune system against the exposure of infections and the role of CD49a + NK cells in embryonic development will also be highlighted.
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Devvanshi H, Kachhwaha R, Manhswita A, Bhatnagar S, Kshetrapal P. Immunological Changes in Pregnancy and Prospects of Therapeutic Pla-Xosomes in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:895254. [PMID: 35517798 PMCID: PMC9065684 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.895254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stringent balance of the immune system is a key regulatory factor in defining successful implantation, fetal development, and timely parturition. Interference in these primary regulatory mechanisms, either at adolescence or prenatal state led to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Fertility restoration with the help of injectable gonadotrophins/progesterone, ovulation-inducing drugs, immunomodulatory drugs (corticosteroids), and reproductive surgeries provides inadequate responses, which manifest its own side effects. The development of a potential diagnostic biomarker and an effectual treatment for adverse pregnancy outcomes is a prerequisite to maternal and child health. Parent cell originated bi-layered-intraluminal nano-vesicles (30-150 nm) also known as exosomes are detected in all types of bodily fluids like blood, saliva, breast milk, urine, etc. Exosomes being the most biological residual structures with the least cytotoxicity are loaded with cargo in the form of RNAs (miRNAs), proteins (cytokines), hormones (estrogen, progesterone, etc.), cDNAs, and metabolites making them chief molecules of cell-cell communication. Their keen involvement in the regulation of biological processes has portrayed them as the power shots of cues to understand the disease's pathophysiology and progression. Recent studies have demonstrated the role of immunexosomes (immunomodulating exosomes) in maintaining unwavering immune homeostasis between the mother and developing fetus for a healthy pregnancy. Moreover, the concentration and size of the exosomes are extensively studied in adverse pregnancies like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and preterm premature rupture of membrane (pPROMs) as an early diagnostic marker, thus giving in-depth information about their pathophysiology. Exosomes have also been engineered physically as well as genetically to enhance their encapsulation efficiency and specificity in therapy for cancer and adverse pregnancies. Successful bench to bedside discoveries and interventions in cancer has motivated developmental biologists to investigate the role of immunexosomes and their active components. Our review summarizes the pre-clinical studies for the use of these power-shots as therapeutic agents. We envisage that these studies will pave the path for the use of immunexosomes in clinical settings for reproductive problems that arise due to immune perturbance in homeostasis either at adolescence or prenatal state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himadri Devvanshi
- Maternal and Child Health, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India
| | - Rohit Kachhwaha
- Maternal and Child Health, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India
| | - Anima Manhswita
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shinjini Bhatnagar
- Maternal and Child Health, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India
| | - Pallavi Kshetrapal
- Maternal and Child Health, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India
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Krstic J, Deutsch A, Fuchs J, Gauster M, Gorsek Sparovec T, Hiden U, Krappinger JC, Moser G, Pansy K, Szmyra M, Gold D, Feichtinger J, Huppertz B. (Dis)similarities between the Decidual and Tumor Microenvironment. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051065. [PMID: 35625802 PMCID: PMC9138511 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Placenta-specific trophoblast and tumor cells exhibit many common characteristics. Trophoblast cells invade maternal tissues while being tolerated by the maternal immune system. Similarly, tumor cells can invade surrounding tissues and escape the immune system. Importantly, both trophoblast and tumor cells are supported by an abetting microenvironment, which influences invasion, angiogenesis, and immune tolerance/evasion, among others. However, in contrast to tumor cells, the metabolic, proliferative, migrative, and invasive states of trophoblast cells are under tight regulatory control. In this review, we provide an overview of similarities and dissimilarities in regulatory processes that drive trophoblast and tumor cell fate, particularly focusing on the role of the abetting microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Krstic
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Alexander Deutsch
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria; (A.D.); (K.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Julia Fuchs
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
- Division of Biophysics, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Gauster
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Tina Gorsek Sparovec
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria; (T.G.S.); (U.H.); (D.G.)
| | - Ursula Hiden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria; (T.G.S.); (U.H.); (D.G.)
| | - Julian Christopher Krappinger
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Gerit Moser
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Katrin Pansy
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria; (A.D.); (K.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Marta Szmyra
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria; (A.D.); (K.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Daniela Gold
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria; (T.G.S.); (U.H.); (D.G.)
| | - Julia Feichtinger
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
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Bączkowska M, Dutsch-Wicherek MM, Przytuła E, Faryna J, Wojtyła C, Ali M, Knafel A, Ciebiera M. Expression of the Costimulatory Molecule B7-H4 in the Decidua and Placental Tissues in Patients with Placental Abruption. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040918. [PMID: 35453668 PMCID: PMC9033103 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
B7 homolog 4 protein (B7-H4), a member of the B7 family, is a immunomodulatory membrane protein. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of this protein in the decidua and placental tissues in case of placental abruption (PA) compared to cases of retained placental tissue (RPT) and controls. Tissue samples were obtained from 47 patients with PA, 60 patients with RPT, and 41 healthy controls. The samples were stained for B7-H4 expression, analyzed by an expert pathologist, and a semi-quantitative scale was applied. A statistical analysis revealed that the expression of B7-H4 was significantly higher in the decidua in PA samples compared to samples from patients with RPT (p-value < 0.001) and healthy controls (p-value < 0.001). The expression of B7-H4 in the placental chorionic villus was significantly higher in PA samples in relation to samples from healthy controls (p-value < 0.001) but not in relation to RPT samples (p-value = 0.0853). This finding suggests that B7-H4 might play an important role in mechanisms restoring reproductive tract homeostasis. Further research is necessary in regard to the role of B7-H4 in PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Bączkowska
- Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.); (A.K.)
| | | | - Ewa Przytuła
- Department of Pathology, Bielański Hospital, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (E.P.); (J.F.)
| | - Jan Faryna
- Department of Pathology, Bielański Hospital, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (E.P.); (J.F.)
| | - Cezary Wojtyła
- International Prevention Research Institute-Collaborating Centre, Calisia University, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland;
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
| | - Anna Knafel
- Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Michał Ciebiera
- Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-607-155-177
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9
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Ding J, Maxwell A, Adzibolosu N, Hu A, You Y, Liao A, Mor G. Mechanisms of immune regulation by the placenta: Role of type I interferon and interferon‐stimulated genes signaling during pregnancy*. Immunol Rev 2022; 308:9-24. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.13077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Ding
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
| | - Anthony Maxwell
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
- Department of Physiology Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
| | - Nicholas Adzibolosu
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
- Department of Physiology Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
| | - Anna Hu
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
| | - Yuan You
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
| | - Aihua Liao
- Institute of Reproductive Health Center for Reproductive Medicine Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Gil Mor
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
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10
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Zhao SJ, Muyayalo KP, Luo J, Huang D, Mor G, Liao AH. Next generation of immune checkpoint molecules in maternal-fetal immunity. Immunol Rev 2022; 308:40-54. [PMID: 35234305 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Successful pregnancy is a unique situation requires the maternal immune system to recognize and tolerate a semi-identical fetus and allow normal invasion of trophoblast cells. Although efforts have been made, the deep mechanisms of the maternal-fetal crosstalk have not yet been fully deciphered. Immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) are a group of negative modulators of the immune response that avoid immune damage. They have been extensively studied in the fields of oncology and transplantation, while the latest evidence suggests that they are closely associated with pregnancy outcomes via multiple inhibitory mechanisms. Although studies have mostly demonstrated the regulatory role of the well-known PD-1, CTLA-4 at the maternal-fetal interface, what is unique about the newly discovered multiple ICMs remains a mystery. Here, we review the latest knowledge on ICMs, focusing on the first generation of checkpoints (PD-1, CTLA-4) and the next generation (Tim-3, Tigit, Lag-3, VISTA) highlighting their immunoregulatory roles in maternal-fetal tolerance and decidual vascular remodeling, and their involvement in pathological pregnancies. The content covers three aspects: the characteristics they possess, the dynamic expression profile of their expression at the maternal-fetal interface, and their involvement in pathological pregnancy. In immunotherapy strategies for pregnancy complications, upregulation of immune checkpoints may play a role. Meanwhile, the impact on pregnancy outcomes when using ICMs in clinical cancer treatment during pregnancy is a topic worth exploring. These may serve as a guide for future basic research and clinical applications of maternal-fetal immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Jia Zhao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kahindo P Muyayalo
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Donghui Huang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gil Mor
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Ai-Hua Liao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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11
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Arenas-Hernandez M, Romero R, Gershater M, Tao L, Xu Y, Garcia-Flores V, Pusod E, Miller D, Galaz J, Motomura K, Schwenkel G, Para R, Gomez-Lopez N. Specific innate immune cells uptake fetal antigen and display homeostatic phenotypes in the maternal circulation. J Leukoc Biol 2022; 111:519-538. [PMID: 34889468 PMCID: PMC8881318 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5hi0321-179rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy represents a period when the mother undergoes significant immunological changes to promote tolerance of the fetal semi-allograft. Such tolerance results from the exposure of the maternal immune system to fetal antigens (Ags), a process that has been widely investigated at the maternal-fetal interface and in the adjacent draining lymph nodes. However, the peripheral mechanisms of maternal-fetal crosstalk are poorly understood. Herein, we hypothesized that specific innate immune cells interact with fetal Ags in the maternal circulation. To test this hypothesis, a mouse model was utilized in which transgenic male mice expressing the chicken ovalbumin (OVA) Ag under the beta-actin promoter were allogeneically mated with wild-type females to allow for tracking of the fetal Ag. Fetal Ag-carrying Ly6G+ and F4/80+ cells were identified in the maternal circulation, where they were more abundant in the second half of pregnancy. Such innate immune cells displayed unique phenotypes: while Ly6G+ cells expressed high levels of MHC-II and CD80 together with low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, F4/80+ cells up-regulated the expression of CD86 as well as the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. In vitro studies using allogeneic GFP+ placental particles revealed that maternal peripheral Ly6G+ and F4/80+ cells phagocytose fetal Ags in mid and late murine pregnancy. Importantly, cytotrophoblast-derived particles were also engulfed in vitro by CD15+ and CD14+ cells from women in the second and third trimester, providing translational evidence that this process also occurs in humans. Collectively, this study demonstrates novel interactions between specific maternal circulating innate immune cells and fetal Ags, thereby shedding light on the systemic mechanisms of maternal-fetal crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Arenas-Hernandez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Meyer Gershater
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Li Tao
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Errile Pusod
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kenichiro Motomura
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - George Schwenkel
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Robert Para
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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12
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Gomez-Lopez N, Garcia-Flores V, Chin PY, Groome HM, Bijland MT, Diener KR, Romero R, Robertson SA. Macrophages exert homeostatic actions in pregnancy to protect against preterm birth and fetal inflammatory injury. JCI Insight 2021; 6:146089. [PMID: 34622802 PMCID: PMC8525593 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are commonly thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of preterm labor by amplifying inflammation — but a protective role has not previously been considered to our knowledge. We hypothesized that given their antiinflammatory capability in early pregnancy, macrophages exert essential roles in maintenance of late gestation and that insufficient macrophages may predispose individuals to spontaneous preterm labor and adverse neonatal outcomes. Here, we showed that women with spontaneous preterm birth had reduced CD209+CD206+ expression in alternatively activated CD45+CD14+ICAM3– macrophages and increased TNF expression in proinflammatory CD45+CD14+CD80+HLA-DR+ macrophages in the uterine decidua at the materno-fetal interface. In Cd11bDTR/DTR mice, depletion of maternal CD11b+ myeloid cells caused preterm birth, neonatal death, and postnatal growth impairment, accompanied by uterine cytokine and leukocyte changes indicative of a proinflammatory response, while adoptive transfer of WT macrophages prevented preterm birth and partially rescued neonatal loss. In a model of intra-amniotic inflammation–induced preterm birth, macrophages polarized in vitro to an M2 phenotype showed superior capacity over nonpolarized macrophages to reduce uterine and fetal inflammation, prevent preterm birth, and improve neonatal survival. We conclude that macrophages exert a critical homeostatic regulatory role in late gestation and are implicated as a determinant of susceptibility to spontaneous preterm birth and fetal inflammatory injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, US Department of Health and Human Services; Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, US Department of Health and Human Services; Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Peck Yin Chin
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Holly M Groome
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Melanie T Bijland
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kerrilyn R Diener
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, US Department of Health and Human Services; Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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13
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Espino A, El Costa H, Tabiasco J, Al-Daccak R, Jabrane-Ferrat N. Innate Immune Response to Viral Infections at the Maternal-Fetal Interface in Human Pregnancy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:674645. [PMID: 34368184 PMCID: PMC8339430 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.674645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta, the first and largest organ to develop after conception, not only nurtures and promotes the development of the conceptus, but, it also functions as a barrier against invading pathogens. Early phases of pregnancy are associated with expansion of specific subsets of Natural Killer cells (dNK) and macrophages (dMφ) at the maternal uterine mucosa, the basal decidua. In concert with cells of fetal origin, dNK cells, and dMφ orchestrate all steps of placenta and fetus development, and provide the first line of defense to limit vertical transmission. However, some pathogens that infect the mother can overcome this protective barrier and jeopardize the fetus health. In this review, we will discuss how members of the classical TORCH family (Toxoplasma, Other, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus) and some emerging viruses (Hepatitis E virus, Zika virus, and SARS-CoV2) can afford access to the placental fortress. We will also discuss how changes in the intrauterine environment as a consequence of maternal immune cell activation contribute to placental diseases and devastating pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Espino
- Infinity, Université de Toulouse - CNRS - Inserm, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Hicham El Costa
- Infinity, Université de Toulouse - CNRS - Inserm, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Julie Tabiasco
- Infinity, Université de Toulouse - CNRS - Inserm, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Reem Al-Daccak
- Inserm UMRS976 - Université de Paris - Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
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14
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Chambers M, Rees A, Cronin JG, Nair M, Jones N, Thornton CA. Macrophage Plasticity in Reproduction and Environmental Influences on Their Function. Front Immunol 2021; 11:607328. [PMID: 33519817 PMCID: PMC7840613 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.607328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are key components of the innate immune system and exhibit extensive plasticity and heterogeneity. They play a significant role in the non-pregnant cycling uterus and throughout gestation they contribute to various processes underpinning reproductive success including implantation, placentation and parturition. Macrophages are also present in breast milk and impart immunomodulatory benefits to the infant. For a healthy pregnancy, the maternal immune system must adapt to prevent fetal rejection and support development of the semi-allogenic fetus without compromising host defense. These functions are dependent on macrophage polarization which is governed by the local tissue microenvironmental milieu. Disruption of this microenvironment, possibly by environmental factors of infectious and non-infectious origin, can affect macrophage phenotype and function and is linked to adverse obstetric outcomes, e.g. spontaneous miscarriage and preterm birth. Determining environmental influences on cellular and molecular mechanisms that control macrophage polarization at the maternal-fetal interface and the role of this in pregnancy complications could support approaches to alleviating adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Chambers
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - April Rees
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - James G Cronin
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Manju Nair
- Maternity and Child Health, Singleton Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Jones
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine A Thornton
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
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15
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Mikhailova VA, Markova KL, Belikova ME, Gzgzyan AM, Selkov SA, Sokolov DI. T-Lymphocyte proliferative activity in early pregnancy and outside pregnancy state. Gynecol Endocrinol 2021; 37:21-25. [PMID: 34937514 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2021.2006477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T-lymphocytes are present in the endometrium before pregnancy and their number varies depending on menstrual cycle stage. Despite T-lymphocyte population heterogeneity, there is no clear vision of general mechanisms of decidua T-lymphocyte pool formation. One of the assumed variants is T-lymphocyte proliferation in situ. The study objective is to evaluate variations of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte proliferative activity in the presence of trophoblast cells. The peripheral blood was sampled from healthy nonpregnant women in the proliferative (n = 29) and secretory (n = 32) menstrual cycle phases and also from women on 6-7 weeks stage of physiological pregnancy (n = 30). Jeg-3 (ATCC) line cells were applied as trophoblast cells within in vitro model system. T-lymphocyte proliferation was determined by estimating the Ki-67 expression and T-lymphocyte relative number. It was established that trophoblast cells perform inhibiting effect on Ki-67 by T-lymphocytes in all groups of examined women both in course of PBMC cultivation and in case of preliminarily isolated T-lymphocytes. During cultivation in the presence of IL-2 and trophoblasts, PBMC T-lymphocytes in pregnant women are more resistant to trophoblast cells inhibition than in nonpregnant women. In case of isolated T-lymphocytes, decreased T-lymphocyte proliferation during pregnancy was observed as compared to the proliferative cycle phase hence pointing to necessity of T-lymphocyte contact with microenvironment cells for self-support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina A Mikhailova
- FSBSI 'The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O.Ott', St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kseniia L Markova
- FSBSI 'The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O.Ott', St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Madina E Belikova
- FSBSI 'The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O.Ott', St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Aleksander M Gzgzyan
- FSBSI 'The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O.Ott', St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sergey A Selkov
- FSBSI 'The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O.Ott', St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Dmitriy I Sokolov
- FSBSI 'The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O.Ott', St. Petersburg, Russia
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16
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Endoglin: An 'Accessory' Receptor Regulating Blood Cell Development and Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239247. [PMID: 33287465 PMCID: PMC7729465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a pleiotropic factor sensed by most cells. It regulates a broad spectrum of cellular responses including hematopoiesis. In order to process TGF-β1-responses in time and space in an appropriate manner, there is a tight regulation of its signaling at diverse steps. The downstream signaling is mediated by type I and type II receptors and modulated by the ‘accessory’ receptor Endoglin also termed cluster of differentiation 105 (CD105). Endoglin was initially identified on pre-B leukemia cells but has received most attention due to its high expression on activated endothelial cells. In turn, Endoglin has been figured out as the causative factor for diseases associated with vascular dysfunction like hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia-1 (HHT-1), pre-eclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUPR). Because HHT patients often show signs of inflammation at vascular lesions, and loss of Endoglin in the myeloid lineage leads to spontaneous inflammation, it is speculated that Endoglin impacts inflammatory processes. In line, Endoglin is expressed on progenitor/precursor cells during hematopoiesis as well as on mature, differentiated cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. However, so far only pro-monocytes and macrophages have been in the focus of research, although Endoglin has been identified in many other immune system cell subsets. These findings imply a functional role of Endoglin in the maturation and function of immune cells. Aside the functional relevance of Endoglin in endothelial cells, CD105 is differentially expressed during hematopoiesis, arguing for a role of this receptor in the development of individual cell lineages. In addition, Endoglin expression is present on mature immune cells of the innate (i.e., macrophages and mast cells) and the adaptive (i.e., T-cells) immune system, further suggesting Endoglin as a factor that shapes immune responses. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on Endoglin expression and function in hematopoietic precursors and mature hematopoietic cells of different lineages.
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17
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Kitazawa J, Kimura F, Nakamura A, Morimune A, Takahashi A, Takashima A, Amano T, Tsuji S, Kaku S, Kasahara K, Murakami T. Endometrial Immunity for Embryo Implantation and Pregnancy Establishment. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2020; 250:49-60. [PMID: 31996497 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.250.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The uterus is an organ for raising the fetus, and its lumen is lined by the endometrium. The endometrium is an important site for the implantation and maturation of fertilized eggs. The endometrium undergoes repetitive proliferation, maturation (decidualization), and exfoliation changes every menstrual cycle. At the same time, the number and type of endometrial immunocompetent cells vary during the menstrual cycle. At the implantation stage, the immunocompetent cells occupy approximately half of the endometrial cells. Immunocompetent cells normally eliminate pathogenic microorganisms to protect the body; however, they also promote immune tolerance to accept the fetus during pregnancy. The immunocompetent cells in the uterus can perform both these functions. With the establishment of pregnancy, stimuli from the trophoblast (placenta) and fetus can also change the immune environment of the uterus, and pregnancy can be maintained only when the immune system is well adapted to the stimuli of some hormones and the fetus. Immunity for the establishment of pregnancy is not simple because multiple immunocompetent cells are involved in establishing and maintaining pregnancy. To understand the immune mechanisms associated with the establishment of pregnancy, we have to learn about each immune cell. This review, therefore, discusses the roles and distribution of the immunocompetent cells inside the uterus during menstruation and early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kitazawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Fuminori Kimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Akiko Nakamura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Aina Morimune
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Akimasa Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Akiko Takashima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Tsukuru Amano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Shunichiro Tsuji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Shoji Kaku
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Kyoko Kasahara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Takashi Murakami
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science
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18
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Bezemer RE, Schoots MH, Timmer A, Scherjon SA, Erwich JJHM, van Goor H, Gordijn SJ, Prins JR. Altered Levels of Decidual Immune Cell Subsets in Fetal Growth Restriction, Stillbirth, and Placental Pathology. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1898. [PMID: 32973787 PMCID: PMC7468421 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune cells are critically involved in placental development and functioning, and inadequate regulation of the maternal immune system is associated with placental pathology and pregnancy complications. This study aimed to explore numbers of decidual immune cells in pregnancies complicated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and stillbirth (SB), and in placentas with histopathological lesions: maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM), fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM), delayed villous maturation (DVM), chorioamnionitis (CA), and villitis of unknown etiology (VUE). Placental tissue from FGR (n = 250), SB (n = 64), and healthy pregnancies (n = 42) was included. Histopathological lesions were classified according to criteria developed by the Amsterdam Placental Workshop Group. Tissue slides were stained for CD68 (macrophages), CD206 (M2-like macrophages), CD3 (T cells), FOXP3 [regulatory T (Treg) cells], and CD56 [natural killer (NK) cells]. Cell numbers were analyzed in the decidua basalis using computerized morphometry. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal Wallis test with the Dunn's as post-hoc test were used for statistical analysis. Numbers of CD68+ macrophages were higher in FGR compared to healthy pregnancies (p < 0.001), accompanied by lower CD206+/CD68+ ratios (p < 0.01). In addition, in FGR higher numbers of FOXP3+ Treg cells were seen (p < 0.01) with elevated FOXP3+/CD3+ ratios (p < 0.01). Similarly, in SB elevated FOXP3+ Treg cells were found (p < 0.05) with a higher FOXP3+/CD3+ ratio (p < 0.01). Furthermore, a trend toward higher numbers of CD68+ macrophages was found (p < 0.1) in SB. Numbers of CD3+ and FOXP3+ cells were higher in placentas with VUE compared to placentas without lesions (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001), accompanied by higher FOXP3+/CD3+ ratios (p < 0.01). Elevated numbers of macrophages with a lower M2/total macrophage ratio in FGR suggest a role for a macrophage surplus in its pathogenesis and could specifically indicate involvement of inflammatory macrophages. Higher numbers of FOXP3+ Treg cells with higher Treg/total T cell ratios in VUE may be associated with impaired maternal-fetal tolerance and a compensatory response of Treg cells. The abundant presence of placental lesions in the FGR and SB cohorts might explain the increase of Treg/total T cell ratios in these groups. More functionality studies of the observed altered immune cell subsets are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy E Bezemer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Mirthe H Schoots
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Albertus Timmer
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Sicco A Scherjon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan Jaap H M Erwich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Harry van Goor
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Sanne J Gordijn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Jelmer R Prins
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Zhao Y, Zheng Q, Jin L. The Role of B7 Family Molecules in Maternal-Fetal Immunity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:458. [PMID: 32265918 PMCID: PMC7105612 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a complex but well-arranged process, and a healthy fetus requires immune privilege and surveillance in the presence of paternally derived antigens. Maternal and fetal cells interact at the maternal–fetal interface. The upregulation and downregulation of maternal immunity executed by the leukocyte population predominantly depend on the activity of decidual natural killer cells and trophoblasts and are further modulated by a series of duplex signals. The B7 family, which consists of B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, B7-DC, B7-H2, B7-H3, B7-H4, B7-H5, BTNL2, B7-H6, and B7-H7, is one of the most characterized and widely distributed signaling molecule superfamilies and conducts both stimulatory and inhibitory signals through separate interactions. In particular, the roles of B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, and their corresponding receptors in the progression of normal pregnancy and some pregnancy complications have been extensively studied. Together with the TCR–MHC complex, B7 and its receptors play a critical role in cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. Depending on this ligand–receptor crosstalk, the balance between the tolerance and rejection of the fetus is perfectly maintained. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge of the B7 family and its functions in regulating maternal–fetal immunity through individual interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbo Zhao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingliang Zheng
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Jin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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20
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Yang F, Zheng Q, Jin L. Dynamic Function and Composition Changes of Immune Cells During Normal and Pathological Pregnancy at the Maternal-Fetal Interface. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2317. [PMID: 31681264 PMCID: PMC6813251 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A successful pregnancy requires a fine-tuned and highly regulated balance between immune activation and embryonic antigen tolerance. Since the fetus is semi-allogeneic, the maternal immune system should exert tolerant to the fetus while maintaining the defense against infection. The maternal-fetal interface consists of different immune cells, such as decidual natural killer (dNK) cells, macrophages, T cells, dendritic cells, B cells, and NKT cells. The interaction between immune cells, decidual stromal cells, and trophoblasts constitute a vast network of cellular connections. A cellular immunological imbalance may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as recurrent spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth, intrauterine growth restriction, and infection. Dynamic changes in immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface have not been clearly stated. While many studies have described changes in the proportions of immune cells in the normal maternal-fetus interface during early pregnancy, few studies have assessed the immune cell changes in mid and late pregnancy. Research on pathological pregnancy has provided clues about these dynamic changes, but a deeper understanding of these changes is necessary. This review summarizes information from previous studies, which may lay the foundation for the diagnosis of pathological pregnancy and put forward new ideas for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglian Yang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingliang Zheng
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Jin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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21
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Exhausted and Senescent T Cells at the Maternal-Fetal Interface in Preterm and Term Labor. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:3128010. [PMID: 31263712 PMCID: PMC6556261 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3128010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful pregnancy requires a tightly-regulated equilibrium of immune cell interactions at the maternal-fetal interface (i.e., the decidual tissues), which plays a central role in the inflammatory process of labor. Most of the innate immune cells in this compartment have been well characterized; however, adaptive immune cells are still under investigation. Herein, we performed immunophenotyping of the decidua basalis and decidua parietalis to determine whether exhausted and senescent T cells are present at the maternal-fetal interface and whether the presence of pathological (i.e., preterm) or physiological (i.e., term) labor and/or placental inflammation alter such adaptive immune cells. In addition, decidual exhausted T cells were sorted to test their functional status. We found that (1) exhausted and senescent T cells were present at the maternal-fetal interface and predominantly expressed an effector memory phenotype, (2) exhausted CD4+ T cells increased in the decidua parietalis as gestational age progressed, (3) exhausted CD4+ and CD8+ T cells decreased in the decidua basalis of women who underwent labor at term compared to those without labor, (4) exhausted CD4+ T cells declined with the presence of placental inflammation in the decidua basalis of women with preterm labor, (5) exhausted CD8+ T cells decreased with the presence of placental inflammation in the decidua basalis of women who underwent labor at term, (6) both senescent CD4+ and CD8+ T cells declined with the presence of placental inflammation in the decidua basalis of women who underwent preterm labor, and (7) decidual exhausted T cells produced IFNγ and TNFα upon in vitro stimulation. Collectively, these findings indicate that exhausted and senescent T cells are present at the human maternal-fetal interface and undergo alterations in a subset of women either with labor at term or preterm labor and placental inflammation. Importantly, decidual T cell function can be restored upon stimulation.
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22
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Gill N, Leng Y, Romero R, Xu Y, Panaitescu B, Miller D, Arif A, Mumuni S, Qureshi F, Hsu CD, Hassan SS, Staff AC, Gomez-Lopez N. The immunophenotype of decidual macrophages in acute atherosis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2019; 81:e13098. [PMID: 30734977 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Acute atherosis is a uteroplacental arterial lesion that is associated with pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and preterm birth, the latter being the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the immunobiology of acute atherosis is poorly understood. METHOD OF STUDY Placental basal plate samples were collected from women who delivered with (n = 11) and without (n = 31) decidua basalis lesions of acute atherosis. Multicolor flow cytometry was used to quantify M1- and M2-like macrophage subsets and the expression of iNOS and IL-12 by decidual macrophages. Multiplex fluorescence staining and phenoptics were performed to localize M1-, MOX-, and Mhem-like macrophages in the decidual basalis. RESULTS Macrophages displayed diverse phenotypes in the decidua basalis with acute atherosis. M2-like macrophages were the most abundant subset in the decidua; yet, this macrophage subset did not change with the presence of acute atherosis. Decidual M1-like macrophages were increased in acute atherosis, and such macrophages displayed a pro-inflammatory phenotype, as indicated by the expression of iNOS and IL-12. Decidual M1-like pro-inflammatory macrophages were localized near both transformed and non-transformed vessels in the decidua basalis with acute atherosis. MOX and Mhem macrophages were also identified near transformed vessels in the decidua basalis with acute atherosis. Finally, monocyte-like cells were present on the vessel wall of non-transformed decidual vessels, indicating a possible intravascular source for macrophages in acute atherosis. CONCLUSION Decidual macrophages display different phenotypes, namely M1-like, M2-like, MOX, and Mhem subsets. Yet, pro-inflammatory macrophages are enriched in the decidua basalis with acute atherosis. These findings provide a molecular foundation for future mechanistic inquiries about the role of pro-inflammatory macrophages in the pathogenesis of acute atherosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navleen Gill
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Yaozhu Leng
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Bogdan Panaitescu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Afrah Arif
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Salma Mumuni
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Faisal Qureshi
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Pathology, Hutzel Women's Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Chaur-Dong Hsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Sonia S Hassan
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Anne Cathrine Staff
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.,C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
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23
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The influence of maternal obesity on macrophage subsets in the human decidua. Cell Immunol 2019; 336:75-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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24
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Choriodecidual leukocytes display a unique gene expression signature in spontaneous labor at term. Genes Immun 2018; 20:56-68. [PMID: 29362510 PMCID: PMC6358585 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-017-0010-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Prior to and during the process of human labor, maternal circulating leukocytes infiltrate the maternal-fetal interface (choriodecidua) and become activated resembling choriodecidual leukocytes. Since, there is no evidence comparing maternal circulating and choriodecidual leukocytes, herein, we characterized their transcriptome and explored the biological processes enriched in choriodecidual leukocytes. From women undergoing spontaneous term labor we isolated circulating and choriodecidual leukocytes, performed microarray analysis (n = 5) and qRT-PCR validation (n = 9) and interaction network analysis with up-regulated genes. We found 270 genes up-regulated and only 17 genes down-regulated in choriodecidual leukocytes compared to maternal circulating leukocytes. The most up-regulated genes were CCL18, GPNMB, SEPP1, FN1, RNASE1, SPP1, C1QC, and PLTP. The biological processes enriched in choriodecidual leukocytes were cell migration and regulation of immune response, chemotaxis, and humoral immune responses. Our results show striking differences between the transcriptome of choriodecidual and maternal circulating leukocytes. Choriodecidual leukocytes are enriched in immune mediators implicated in the spontaneous process of labor at term.
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25
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Abstract
The comparison of the immunological state of pregnancy to an immunosuppressed host-graft model continues to lead research and clinical practice to ill-defined approaches. This Review discusses recent evidence that supports the idea that immunological responses at the receptive maternal-fetal interface are not simply suppressed but are instead highly dynamic. We discuss the crucial role of trophoblast cells in shaping not only the way in which immune cells respond to the invading blastocyst but also how they collectively react to external stimuli. We also discuss the role of the microbiota in promoting a tolerogenic maternal immune system and highlight how subclinical viral infections can disrupt this status quo, leading to pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gil Mor
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Paulomi Aldo
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Ayesha B Alvero
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
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26
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Decidual natural killer cells and the immune microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2016; 59:1224-1231. [PMID: 27905000 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-016-0337-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
During early pregnancy, an orchestrated evolutionary maternal adaption toward tolerance of the semiallogeneic fetus is required to ensure decidualization and early embryo development. Remodeling of the immune system involves natural killer cells (NKs), macrophages, T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) altering the microenvironment in the deciduas. In particular, a unique population of NK cells with a CD56brightCD16- phenotype in the decidua has been proposed to play a key role in the maternal adaptation to pregnancy. However, there is a tendency for pregnancy immunology to reflect transplantation immunology regarding the assumption that the maternal immune system should be suppressed. This tendency is misleading. We discuss how the immune system is formed in early deciduas and the interactions between maternal NK cells and fetal growth. We propose that the maternal immune response must not be fully suppressed and is even necessary for the local response of uterine NK cells.
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27
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Speth MT, Repnik U, Griffiths G. Layer-by-layer nanocoating of live Bacille-Calmette-Guérin mycobacteria with poly(I:C) and chitosan enhances pro-inflammatory activation and bactericidal capacity in murine macrophages. Biomaterials 2016; 111:1-12. [PMID: 27716523 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major disease burden globally causing more than 1.5 million deaths per year. The attenuated live vaccine strain Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), although providing protection against childhood TB, is largely ineffective against adult pulmonary TB. A major aim therefore is to increase the potency of the BCG vaccine to generate stronger and more sustained immunity against TB. Here, we investigated the use of layer-by-layer (LbL) nanocoating of the surface of live BCG with several layers of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), a strong inducer of cell-mediated immunity, and the biodegradable polysaccharide chitosan to enhance BCG immunogenicity. Nanocoating of live BCG did not affect bacterial viability or growth in vitro but induced killing of the BCG in infected mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and enhanced macrophage production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of surface co-stimulatory molecules relative to uncoated BCG. In addition, poly(I:C) surface-coated BCG, but not BCG alone or together with soluble poly(I:C), induced high production of nitric oxide (NO) and IL-12. These results argue that BCG and surface absorbed poly(I:C) act in a synergistic manner to elicit pro-inflammatory macrophage activation. In conclusion, nanocoating of live BCG with the immunostimulatory agent poly(I:C) may be an appropriate strategy to enhance and modulate host responses to the BCG vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Tobias Speth
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Urska Repnik
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Gareth Griffiths
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371 Oslo, Norway.
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28
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Xu Y, Romero R, Miller D, Kadam L, Mial TN, Plazyo O, Garcia-Flores V, Hassan SS, Xu Z, Tarca AL, Drewlo S, Gomez-Lopez N. An M1-like Macrophage Polarization in Decidual Tissue during Spontaneous Preterm Labor That Is Attenuated by Rosiglitazone Treatment. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2016; 196:2476-2491. [PMID: 26889045 PMCID: PMC4779725 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1502055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Decidual macrophages are implicated in the local inflammatory response that accompanies spontaneous preterm labor/birth; however, their role is poorly understood. We hypothesized that decidual macrophages undergo a proinflammatory (M1) polarization during spontaneous preterm labor and that PPARγ activation via rosiglitazone (RSG) would attenuate the macrophage-mediated inflammatory response, preventing preterm birth. In this study, we show that: 1) decidual macrophages undergo an M1-like polarization during spontaneous term and preterm labor; 2) anti-inflammatory (M2)-like macrophages are more abundant than M1-like macrophages in decidual tissue; 3) decidual M2-like macrophages are reduced in preterm pregnancies compared with term pregnancies, regardless of the presence of labor; 4) decidual macrophages express high levels of TNF and IL-12 but low levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) during spontaneous preterm labor; 5) decidual macrophages from women who underwent spontaneous preterm labor display plasticity by M1↔M2 polarization in vitro; 6) incubation with RSG reduces the expression of TNF and IL-12 in decidual macrophages from women who underwent spontaneous preterm labor; and 7) treatment with RSG reduces the rate of LPS-induced preterm birth and improves neonatal outcomes by reducing the systemic proinflammatory response and downregulating mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB, TNF, and IL-10 in decidual and myometrial macrophages in C57BL/6J mice. In summary, we demonstrated that decidual M1-like macrophages are associated with spontaneous preterm labor and that PPARγ activation via RSG can attenuate the macrophage-mediated proinflammatory response, preventing preterm birth and improving neonatal outcomes. These findings suggest that the PPARγ pathway is a new molecular target for future preventative strategies for spontaneous preterm labor/birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Leena Kadam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Tara N. Mial
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Olesya Plazyo
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Sonia S. Hassan
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Zhonghui Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Adi L. Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Sascha Drewlo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Ning F, Liu H, Lash GE. The Role of Decidual Macrophages During Normal and Pathological Pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2016; 75:298-309. [PMID: 26750089 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages perform many specific functions including host defense, homeostasis, angiogenesis, and tissue development. Macrophages are the second most abundant leukocyte population in the non-pregnant endometrium and pregnant decidua and likely play a central role in the establishment and maintenance of normal pregnancy. Importantly, aberrantly activated uterine macrophages can affect trophoblast function and placental development, which may result in various adverse pregnancy outcomes ranging from pre-eclampsia to fetal growth restriction or demise. Only by fully understanding the roles of macrophage in pregnancy will we be able to develop interventions for the treatment of these various pregnancy complications. This review discusses the general origin and classification of monocytes and macrophages and focuses on the phenotype and functional roles of decidual macrophage at the maternal-fetal interface in normal pregnancy, as well as discussing the potential contribution of the abnormal state of these cells to various aspects of pregnancy pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Ning
- Division of Uterine Vascular Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics, Preterm Birth Prevention and Treatment Research Unit, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huishu Liu
- Division of Uterine Vascular Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gendie E Lash
- Division of Uterine Vascular Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
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Wang H, He M, Hou Y, Chen S, Zhang X, Zhang M, Ji X. Role of decidual CD14(+) macrophages in the homeostasis of maternal-fetal interface and the differentiation capacity of the cells during pregnancy and parturition. Placenta 2015; 38:76-83. [PMID: 26907385 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Decidual macrophages (dMΦs) have been implicated in fetal tolerance, but little information is known regarding their differentiation capacity and interactions with T cells. The present study aimed to investigate the immunological characteristics of dMΦs at mid and term pregnancy. METHODS The dMΦs were analyzed for their phenotypes and cytokine production by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. The transendothelial trafficking model was implemented to allow the dMΦs to differentiate. The differentiated cells from dMΦs were also measured for their phenotypes and cytokine production with same methods. The capacity of dMΦs or the differentiated cells from dMΦs to stimulate allogeneic T lymphocyte proliferation was evaluated by T lymphocyte stimulation assays. T cell differentiation was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS The dMΦs in the mid-pregnancy (Mid-dMΦs) resembled the M2 phenotype. The differentiated cells from Mid-dMΦs had little stimulatory capacity on T cell proliferation and favored regulatory T cell differentiation. The dMΦs at term differentiated into dendritic (DC)-like cells, stimulating T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation into IFN-γ-producing T cellsdecidual CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that the differences in phenotypes and cytokine production between Mid- and Term-dMΦs relate to their different roles in the homeostasis of the maternal-fetal interface. Mid-dMΦs differentiate into DC-like cells with immunosuppressive properties, playing an important role in maintaining homeostasis required for a successful pregnancy. Term-dMΦs differentiate into DC-like cells with immunostimulatory properties, likely involved in the activation of labor. The different differentiation capacities of dMΦs in the varied pregnancy stages may be due to the placental microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Min He
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yunhua Hou
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Saiying Chen
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Xiaojie Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Mingshun Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Xiaohui Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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Xu Y, Plazyo O, Romero R, Hassan SS, Gomez-Lopez N. Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface. J Vis Exp 2015:e52863. [PMID: 26067211 DOI: 10.3791/52863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is characterized by the infiltration of leukocytes in the reproductive tissues and at the maternal-fetal interface (decidua basalis and decidua parietalis). This interface is the anatomical site of contact between maternal and fetal tissues; therefore, it is an immunological site of action during pregnancy. Infiltrating leukocytes at the maternal-fetal interface play a central role in implantation, pregnancy maintenance, and timing of delivery. Therefore, phenotypic and functional characterizations of these leukocytes will provide insight into the mechanisms that lead to pregnancy disorders. Several protocols have been described in order to isolate infiltrating leukocytes from the decidua basalis and decidua parietalis; however, the lack of consistency in the reagents, enzymes, and times of incubation makes it difficult to compare these results. Described herein is a novel approach that combines the use of gentle mechanical and enzymatic dissociation techniques to preserve the viability and integrity of extracellular and intracellular markers in leukocytes isolated from the human tissues at the maternal-fetal interface. Aside from immunophenotyping, cell culture, and cell sorting, the future applications of this protocol are numerous and varied. Following this protocol, the isolated leukocytes can be used to determine DNA methylation, expression of target genes, in vitro leukocyte functionality (i.e., phagocytosis, cytotoxicity, T-cell proliferation, and plasticity, etc.), and the production of reactive oxygen species at the maternal-fetal interface. Additionally, using the described protocol, this laboratory has been able to describe new and rare leukocytes at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS
| | | | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University; Department of Molecular Obstetrics and Genetics, Wayne State University
| | - Sonia S Hassan
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine;
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Mach P, Gellhaus A, Wicherek L, Schmidt B, Kimmig R, Kasimir-Bauer S, Köninger A. Changes in the Blood Serum Levels of the Costimulatory Soluble B7-H4 Molecule in Pregnant Women During the Peripartal Phase. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 74:209-15. [PMID: 25907449 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM B7-H4, a transmembrane protein that negatively regulates T lymphocytes, seems to play a role in the suppression of the im\mune response at the maternal-fetal interface. The aim of this study was to compare the blood serum concentration levels of soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) prepartal and postpartal in both women who experienced spontaneous onset of labor and those who underwent elective cesarian section. METHOD OF STUDY Blood was obtained from 30 prepartal and postpartal women who delivered at the University Hospital of Essen between 2011 and 2012. These patients were further divided into two subgroups depending on the advancement of labor. The sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels of the women in the groups were then determined by ELISA (BIOZOL, Eching, Germany). RESULTS In women who underwent elective cesarian section, a significant increase in sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels occurred postpartal, while in women who experienced spontaneous onset of labor, no differences between prepartal and postpartal concentration levels were observed. The sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels on the day after delivery in the women who experienced spontaneous labor and those who underwent elective cesarian section were comparable; however, higher blood serum concentration levels of sB7-H4 were observed prepartal in women with spontaneous onset of labor compared to those found in the women about to undergo elective cesarian section. CONCLUSION These changes in sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels suggest that this protein is involved in immunological changes associated with the spontaneous onset of labor and post-delivery homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Mach
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lukasz Wicherek
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology and Gynecological Nursing, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Boerge Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (IMIBE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sabine Kasimir-Bauer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Svensson-Arvelund J, Ernerudh J. The Role of Macrophages in Promoting and Maintaining Homeostasis at the Fetal-Maternal Interface. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 74:100-9. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Judit Svensson-Arvelund
- Clinical Immunology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Clinical Immunology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
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Bulmer JN, Lash GE. The Role of Uterine NK Cells in Normal Reproduction and Reproductive Disorders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 868:95-126. [PMID: 26178847 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-18881-2_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The human endometrium contains a substantial population of leucocytes which vary in distribution during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. An unusual population of natural killer (NK) cells, termed uterine NK (uNK) cells, are the most abundant of these cells in early pregnancy. The increase in number of uNK cells in the mid-secretory phase of the cycle with further increases in early pregnancy has focused attention on the role of uNK cells in early pregnancy. Despite many studies, the in vivo role of these cells is uncertain. This chapter reviews current information regarding the role of uNK cells in healthy human pregnancy and evidence indicating their importance in various reproductive and pregnancy problems. Studies in humans are limited by the availability of suitable tissues and the limitations of extrapolation from animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith N Bulmer
- Reproductive and Vascular Biology Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,
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Brown MB, von Chamier M, Allam AB, Reyes L. M1/M2 macrophage polarity in normal and complicated pregnancy. Front Immunol 2014; 5:606. [PMID: 25505471 PMCID: PMC4241843 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue macrophages play an important role in all stages of pregnancy, including uterine stromal remodeling (decidualization) before embryo implantation, parturition, and post-partum uterine involution. The activation state and function of utero-placental macrophages are largely dependent on the local tissue microenvironment. Thus, macrophages are involved in a variety of activities such as regulation of immune cell activities, placental cell invasion, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Disruption of the uterine microenvironment, particularly during the early stages of pregnancy (decidualization, implantation, and placentation) can have profound effects on macrophage activity and subsequently impact pregnancy outcome. In this review, we will provide an overview of the temporal and spatial regulation of utero-placental macrophage activation during normal pregnancy in human beings and rodents with a focus on more recent findings. We will also discuss the role of M1/M2 dysregulation within the intrauterine environment during adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary B Brown
- D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Department of Infectious Disease and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | - Maria von Chamier
- D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Department of Infectious Disease and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | - Ayman B Allam
- D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Department of Infectious Disease and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | - Leticia Reyes
- D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Department of Infectious Disease and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
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Kim M, Seo H, Choi Y, Shim J, Kim H, Lee CK, Ka H. Microarray Analysis of Gene Expression in the Uterine Endometrium during the Implantation Period in Pigs. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2014; 25:1102-16. [PMID: 25049669 PMCID: PMC4092994 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.2012.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Revised: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During embryo implantation in pigs, the uterine endometrium undergoes dramatic morphological and functional changes accompanied with dynamic gene expression. Since the greatest amount of embryonic losses occur during this period, it is essential to understand the expression and function of genes in the uterine endometrium. Although many reports have studied gene expression in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, the pattern of global gene expression in the uterine endometrium in response to the presence of a conceptus (embryo/fetus and associated extraembryonic membranes) has not been completely determined. To better understand the expression of pregnancy-specific genes in the endometrium during the implantation period, we analyzed global gene expression in the endometrium on day (D) 12 and D15 of pregnancy and the estrous cycle using a microarray technique in order to identify differentially expressed endometrial genes between D12 of pregnancy and D12 of the estrous cycle and between D15 of pregnancy and D15 of the estrous cycle. Results showed that the global pattern of gene expression varied with pregnancy status. Among 23,937 genes analyzed, 99 and 213 up-regulated genes and 92 and 231 down-regulated genes were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the uterine endometrium on D12 and D15 of pregnancy compared to D12 and D15 of the estrous cycle, respectively. Functional annotation clustering analysis showed that those DEGs included genes involved in immunity, steroidogenesis, cell-to-cell interaction, and tissue remodeling. These findings suggest that the implantation process regulates differential endometrial gene expression to support the establishment of pregnancy in pigs. Further analysis of the genes identified in this study will provide insight into the cellular and molecular bases of the implantation process in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingoo Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Heewon Seo
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Yohan Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Jangsoo Shim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Heebal Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Chang-Kyu Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Hakhyun Ka
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
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Hsu P, Nanan RKH. Innate and adaptive immune interactions at the fetal-maternal interface in healthy human pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. Front Immunol 2014; 5:125. [PMID: 24734032 PMCID: PMC3975095 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune tolerance of the fetus is indispensable for a healthy pregnancy outcome. Nowhere is this immune tolerance more important than at the fetal–maternal interface – the decidua, the site of implantation, and placentation. Indeed, many lines of evidence suggest an immunological origin to the common pregnancy-related disorder, pre-eclampsia. Within the innate immune system, decidual NK cells and antigen presenting cells (including dendritic cells and macrophages) make up a large proportion of the decidual leukocyte population, and are thought to modulate vascular remodeling and trophoblast invasion. On the other hand, within the adaptive immune system, Foxp3+ regulatory T cells are crucial for ensuring immune tolerance toward the semi-allogeneic fetus. Additionally, another population of CD4+HLA-G+ suppressor T cells has also been identified as a potential player in the maintenance of immune tolerance. More recently, studies are beginning to unravel the potential interactions between the innate and the adaptive immune system within the decidua, that are required to maintain a healthy pregnancy. In this review, we discuss the recent advances exploring the complex crosstalk between the innate and the adaptive immune system during human pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hsu
- Charles Perkins Centre Nepean , Penrith, NSW , Australia ; Department of Allergy and Immunology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead , Sydney, NSW , Australia ; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney , Sydney, NSW , Australia
| | - Ralph Kay Heinrich Nanan
- Charles Perkins Centre Nepean , Penrith, NSW , Australia ; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney , Sydney, NSW , Australia
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Ben Amara A, Gorvel L, Baulan K, Derain-Court J, Buffat C, Vérollet C, Textoris J, Ghigo E, Bretelle F, Maridonneau-Parini I, Mege JL. Placental macrophages are impaired in chorioamnionitis, an infectious pathology of the placenta. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:5501-14. [PMID: 24163411 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy is dependent on maternal-fetal tolerance that may be compromised because of infections or inflammation of the placenta. In this study, we examined whether the context of placental immune tolerance affected the functions of resident macrophages and if their functions were altered during chorioamnionitis, an infectious pathology of the placenta. Macrophages from at-term placentas expressed CD14, exhibited macrophage microbicidal functions, but were less inflammatory than monocyte-derived macrophages. Moreover, placental macrophages spontaneously matured into multinucleated giant cells (MGCs), a property not exhibited by monocyte-derived macrophages, and we detected MGCs of myeloid origin in placental tissue. Compared with placental macrophages, MGCs exhibited a specific phenotype and gene expression signature, consisting of increased cytoskeleton-associated gene expression along with depressed expression of inflammatory response genes. Furthermore, placental macrophages from patients with chorioamnionitis were unable to form MGCs, but this defect was partially corrected by incubating these placental macrophages with control trophoblast supernatants. MGCs formation likely serves to regulate their inflammatory and cytocidal activities in a context that imposes semiallograft acceptance and defense against pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Ben Amara
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales et Emergentes, Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7278, INSERM U1095, 13385 Marseille, France
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van Egmond A, van der Keur C, Swings GMJS, van Beelen E, van Zijl L, Scherjon SA, Claas FHJ. Preservation of human placenta facilitates multicenter studies on the local immune response in normal and aberrant pregnancies. J Reprod Immunol 2013; 98:29-38. [PMID: 23623053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Our standard procedure for phenotypic and functional analysis of immune cells present in the placenta is to isolate leukocytes from the decidua within five hours of the delivery. However, this results in logistical problems with deliveries at night, weekends or in other medical centers. Collecting placentas after complicated pregnancies is even more difficult owing to the low prevalence and the often unscheduled delivery. The aim was to investigate the possibility of preserving the human placenta before phenotypic and functional analysis of decidual lymphocytes. Placentas were obtained after uncomplicated pregnancy. The tissue was divided into two equal parts: decidual lymphocytes from one part were isolated within five hours according to our standard procedure, whereas the other part was preserved in either Celsior(®), a storage solution for solid organ preservation, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 24h at 4°C before isolation. Overall, the phenotype and functional capacity of decidual lymphocytes isolated within five hours was comparable to decidual lymphocytes isolated after 24-h preservation in Celsior(®) or PBS. Minor differences were found between decidual lymphocytes isolated within five hours and decidual lymphocytes isolated after 24-h preservation in Celsior(®). The results indicate that PBS is sufficient to preserve the placenta for 24h for phenotypical and functional studies. The ability to preserve the placenta will simplify the procedure for the isolation of decidual lymphocytes and makes it easier to analyze tissue from women who deliver during the night, at weekends or in other hospitals, and possibly even women with complicated pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A van Egmond
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Svensson-Arvelund J, Ernerudh J, Buse E, Cline JM, Haeger JD, Dixon D, Markert UR, Pfarrer C, Vos PD, Faas MM. The Placenta in Toxicology. Part II. Toxicol Pathol 2013; 42:327-38. [PMID: 23531796 DOI: 10.1177/0192623313482205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the maternal immune system is challenged by the semiallogeneic fetus, which must be tolerated without compromising fetal or maternal health. This review updates the systemic and local immune changes taking place during human pregnancy, including some examples in rodents. Systemic changes are induced by contact of maternal blood with placental factors and include enhanced innate immunity with increased activation of granulocytes and nonclassical monocytes. Although a bias toward T helper (Th2) and regulatory T cell (Treg) immunity has been associated with healthy pregnancy, the relationship between different circulating Th cell subsets is not straightforward. Instead, these adaptations appear most evidently at the fetal–maternal interface, where for instance Tregs are enriched and promote fetal tolerance. Also innate immune cells, that is, natural killer cells and macrophages, are enriched, constituting the majority of decidual leukocytes. These cells not only contribute to immune regulation but also aid in establishing the placenta by promoting trophoblast recruitment and angiogenesis. Thus, proper interaction between leukocytes and placental trophoblasts is necessary for normal placentation and immune adaptation. Consequently, spontaneous maladaptation or interference of the immune system with toxic substances may be important contributing factors for the development of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm labor, and recurrent miscarriages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Svensson-Arvelund
- Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden
| | | | - J. Mark Cline
- Department of Pathology/Section on Comparative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jan-Dirk Haeger
- Department of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Darlene Dixon
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology Program (NTP), Molecular Pathogenesis, NTP Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Udo R. Markert
- Placenta-Labor, Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Christiane Pfarrer
- Department of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Paul De Vos
- Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Centre Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marijke M. Faas
- Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Centre Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Hsu P, Santner-Nanan B, Dahlstrom JE, Fadia M, Chandra A, Peek M, Nanan R. Altered Decidual DC-SIGN+ Antigen-Presenting Cells and Impaired Regulatory T-Cell Induction in Preeclampsia. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2012; 181:2149-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Revised: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Hanssens S, Salzet M, Vinatier D. [Immunological aspect of pregnancy]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 41:595-611. [PMID: 22921357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgyn.2012.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Revised: 06/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a temporary semi-allograft that survives for nine months. The importance of this event for the survival of the species justifies several tolerance mechanisms that are put into place at the beginning of pregnancy, some of which occur even at the time of implantation. The presence of multiple tolerance mechanisms and the richness of the means employed underline the central importance of the trophoblast. Understanding these mechanisms, and in particular, their integration into an overall scheme, enables the anomalies encountered in certain pathologies of pregnancy to be placed into context. Understanding these mechanisms and their interruption at the end of pregnancy should improve our understanding of disappointing results from current immunological treatments facilitate the implementation of new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hanssens
- Service de chirurgie gynécologique, hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre, Lille cedex, France
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Kim SY, Romero R, Tarca AL, Bhatti G, Kim CJ, Lee J, Elsey A, Than NG, Chaiworapongsa T, Hassan SS, Kang GH, Kim JS. Methylome of fetal and maternal monocytes and macrophages at the feto-maternal interface. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 68:8-27. [PMID: 22385097 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01108.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Decidual macrophages (dMφ) of the mother and placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells, HC) of the fetus are deployed at a critical location: the feto-maternal interface. This study was conducted to compare the DNA methylome of maternal and fetal monocytes, dMφ, and HC and thereby to determine the immunobiological importance of DNA methylation in pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY Paired samples were obtained from normal pregnant women at term not in labor and their neonates. Maternal monocytes (MMo) and fetal monocytes (FMo) were isolated from the peripheral blood of mothers and fetal cord blood, respectively. dMφ and HC were obtained from the decidua of fetal membranes and placentas, respectively. DNA methylation profiling was performed using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation27 BeadChip. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot were performed for validation experiments. RESULTS (i) Significant differences in DNA methylation were found in each comparison (MMo versus FMo, 65 loci; dMφ versus HC, 266 loci; MMo versus dMφ, 199 loci; FMo versus HC, 1030 loci). (ii) Many of the immune response-related genes were hypermethylated in fetal cells (FMo and HC) compared to maternal cells (MMo and dMφ). (iii) Genes encoding markers of classical macrophage activation were hypermethylated, and genes encoding alternative macrophage activation were hypomethylated in dMφ and HC compared to MMo and FMo, respectively. (iv) mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B were significantly lower in dMφ than in HC. (v) 5-azacytidine treatment increased expression of INCA1 in dMφ. CONCLUSIONS The findings herein indicate that DNA methylation patterns change during monocyte-macrophage differentiation at the feto-maternal interface. It is also suggested that DNA methylation is an important component of the biological machinery conferring an anti-inflammatory phenotype to macrophages at the feto-maternal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Young Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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Svensson J, Jenmalm MC, Matussek A, Geffers R, Berg G, Ernerudh J. Macrophages at the fetal-maternal interface express markers of alternative activation and are induced by M-CSF and IL-10. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:3671-82. [PMID: 21890660 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the maternal immune system is challenged by the presence of the fetus, which must be tolerated despite being semiallogeneic. Uterine mucosal (or decidual) macrophages (M), one of the major leukocyte populations at the fetal-maternal interface, have been implicated in fetal tolerance, but information regarding their regulation is scarce. In this study, we investigated the role of several factors potentially involved in the differentiation and polarization of decidual M with an in vitro M differentiation model. By using flow cytometry, we showed that M-CSF and IL-10 were potent inducers of M2 (immunoregulatory) M markers expressed on human decidual M (CD14, CD163, CD206, CD209). In contrast, proinflammatory stimuli, and unexpectedly also the Th2-associated IL-4 and IL-13, induced different patterns of expression, indicating that a Th2-dominated environment is not required for decidual M polarization. M-CSF/IL-10-stimulated and decidual M also showed similar cytokine secretion patterns, with production of IL-10 as well as IL-6, TNF, and CCL4. Conversely, the proinflammatory, LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated M produced significantly higher levels of TNF and no IL-10. We also used a gene array with 420 M-related genes, of which 100 were previously reported to be regulated in a global gene expression profiling of decidual M, confirming that M-CSF/IL-10-induced M are closely related to decidual M. Taken together, our results consistently point to a central role for M-CSF and in particular IL-10 in the shaping of decidual M with regulatory properties. These cytokines may therefore play an important role in supporting the homeostatic and tolerant immune milieu required for a successful pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Svensson
- Unit for Autoimmunity and Immune Regulation, Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
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Schonkeren D, van der Hoorn ML, Khedoe P, Swings G, van Beelen E, Claas F, van Kooten C, de Heer E, Scherjon S. Differential distribution and phenotype of decidual macrophages in preeclamptic versus control pregnancies. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 178:709-17. [PMID: 21281803 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2010.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2010] [Revised: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 10/01/2010] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune tolerance of the semiallogeneic fetus is a complex phenomenon. Macrophages are an abundant cell population in the human decidua, and changes in distribution or phenotype may be involved in the development of preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and phenotype of macrophages in preterm preeclamptic, preterm control, and term control placentas. Placentas of preterm preeclamptic (n = 6), preterm control (n = 5), and term control pregnancies (n = 6) were sequentially immunohistochemically stained for CD14, CD163, DC SIGN, and IL-10. The distributions of CD14(+), CD163(+), DC SIGN(+), IL-10(+), CD163(+)/CD14(+), DC SIGN(+)/CD14(+), and Flt-1/CD14(+) cells were determined by double staining and by digital image analysis of sequential photomicrographs. CD14 and CD163 expression increased significantly in preterm preeclamptic decidua basalis compared with preterm control pregnancies (P = 0.0006 and P = 0.034, respectively). IL-10 expression was significantly lower in the decidua parietalis of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies compared with preterm control pregnancies (P = 0.03). The CD163/CD14 ratio was significantly lower in the decidua basalis (P = 0.0293) and the DC SIGN/CD14 ratio was significantly higher in the decidua basalis (P < 0.0001) and parietalis (P < 0.0001) of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies compared with preterm control pregnancies. CD14(+) macrophages did express Flt-1. Alterations in distribution and phenotype of macrophages in the decidua of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies compared with control pregnancies may contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorrith Schonkeren
- Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Jin LP, Fan DX, Li DJ. Regulation of costimulatory signal in maternal-fetal immune tolerance. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66:76-83. [PMID: 21276120 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00982.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A pregnancy is associated with modifications in the immune status of the mother, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Several observations have indicated that CD28/CTLA-4 and B7-1/B7-2 are involved in the maternal-fetal immune regulation. This review aims to recapitulate our current knowledge concerning the role of CD28/CTLA-4 and B7-1/B7-2 in maternal-fetal immune regulation. Several studies suggest that up-regulation of B7-2 and/or CD28 and/or down-regulation of CTLA-4 are correlated with the occurrence of pregnancy loss. Therefore, an accurate expression of costimulatory molecules at the maternal-fetal interface may ensure that the decidual cells do not elicit a 'danger' signal to the maternal immune system, perhaps instead contributing to the establishment of immune tolerance in vivo. It is showed that costimulation blockade with anti-B7 mAbs results in altered allogeneic T-cell response and overcomes increased maternal rejection to the fetus, which improves fetus growth in the abortion-prone system. These findings suggest that the anti-B7-treated T cells not only function as potent suppresser cells but also exert immunoregulatory effect on the maternal T cells. This procedure might be potentially useful to immunotherapy for human recurrent spontaneous abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
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Houser BL, Tilburgs T, Hill J, Nicotra ML, Strominger JL. Two unique human decidual macrophage populations. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 186:2633-42. [PMID: 21257965 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1003153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Several important events occur at the maternal-fetal interface, including generation of maternal-fetal tolerance, remodeling of the uterine smooth muscle and its spiral arteries and glands, and placental construction. Fetal-derived extravillous trophoblasts come in direct contact with maternal decidual leukocytes. Macrophages represent ∼20% of the leukocytes at this interface. In this study, two distinct subsets of CD14(+) decidual macrophages (dMs) are found to be present in first-trimester decidual tissue, CD11c(HI) and CD11c(LO). Gene expression analysis by RNA microarray revealed that 379 probes were differentially expressed between these two populations. Analysis of the two subsets revealed several clusters of coregulated genes that suggest distinct functions for these subsets in tissue remodeling, growth, and development. CD11c(HI) dMs express genes associated with lipid metabolism and inflammation, whereas CD11c(LO) dMs express genes associated with extracellular matrix formation, muscle regulation, and tissue growth. The CD11c(HI) dMs also differ from CD11c(LO) dMs in their ability to process protein Ag and are likely to be the major APCs in the decidua. Moreover, these populations each secrete both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines that may contribute to the balance that establishes fetal-maternal tolerance. Thus, they do not fit the conventional M1/M2 categorization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandy L Houser
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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Tilburgs T, Schonkeren D, Eikmans M, Nagtzaam NM, Datema G, Swings GM, Prins F, van Lith JM, van der Mast BJ, Roelen DL, Scherjon SA, Claas FH. Human decidual tissue contains differentiated CD8+ effector-memory T cells with unique properties. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 185:4470-7. [PMID: 20817873 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0903597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, maternal lymphocytes at the fetal-maternal interface play a key role in the immune acceptance of the allogeneic fetus. Recently, CD4(+)CD25(bright) regulatory T cells have been shown to be concentrated in decidual tissue, where they are able to suppress fetus-specific and nonspecific immune responses. Decidual CD8(+) T cells are the main candidates to recognize and respond to fetal HLA-C at the fetal-maternal interface, but data on the characteristics of these cells are limited. In this study we examined the decidual and peripheral CD8(+) T cell pool for CD45RA, CCR7, CD28, and CD27 expression, using nine-color flow cytometry. Our data demonstrate that decidual CD8(+) T cells mainly consist of differentiated CD45RA(-)CCR7(-) effector-memory (EM) cells, whereas unprimed CD45RA(+)CCR7(+) naive cells are almost absent. Compared with peripheral blood EM CD8(+) T cells, the decidual EM CD8(+) T cells display a significantly reduced expression of perforin and granzyme B, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry of decidual tissue sections. Interestingly, quantitative PCR analysis demonstrates an increased perforin and granzyme B mRNA content in decidual EM CD8(+) T cells in comparison with peripheral blood EM CD8(+) T cells. The presence of high levels of perforin and granzyme B mRNA in decidual EM T cells suggests that decidual CD8(+) T cells pursue alternative means of EM cell differentiation that may include a blockade of perforin and granzyme B mRNA translation into functional perforin and granzyme B proteins. Regulation of decidual CD8(+) T cell differentiation may play a crucial role in maternal immune tolerance to the allogeneic fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Tilburgs
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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Shakhawat A, Shaikly V, Elzatma E, Mavrakos E, Jabeen A, Fernández N. Interaction between HLA-G and monocyte/macrophages in human pregnancy. J Reprod Immunol 2010; 85:40-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2010.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 02/10/2010] [Accepted: 02/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Nagamatsu T, Schust DJ. The Contribution of Macrophages to Normal and Pathological Pregnancies. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63:460-71. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00813.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
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