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Decidual mast cells might be involved in the onset of human first-trimester abortion
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Julius-Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany.
Problem:
The aim of the present study was to identify the role of mast cells and substance P (SP)-containing nerve fibers in human decidua in normal and pathological pregnancies.
Method Of Study:
We collected decidua from women undergoing termination of normal pregnancies and from abortions. The presence of mast cells and SP was detected by immunohistochemistry.
Results:
We observed a sparse distribution of mast cells in the normal pregnancies (36.7 tryptase+ mast cells/mm2 decidua). In the decidua from abortion, we found a dramatic increase in the number of mast cells (448.7 and 469.2 tryptase+ mast cells/mm2 decidua in primary and secondary abortions, respectively). In addition, we observed an increase of SP-positive nerve fibers in the decidua of abortions.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that decidual mast cells may play an important role in the onset of abortion, due to the production of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha.