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Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Analyses of dendritic cell subsets in pregnancy
T Yoshimura1, M Inaba, K Sugiura
1First Department of Pathology, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi City, Osaka, Japan.
Summary
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) activates immune cells called dendritic cells (DCs) during pregnancy. This activation, involving myeloid and lymphoid DC subsets, influences immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial immune regulators.
- Pregnancy involves complex immune system adaptations.
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a key pregnancy hormone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze changes in peripheral blood dendritic cell (DC) subsets during pregnancy.
- To investigate the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on myeloid and lymphoid DC subsets.
- To examine the phenotypic and functional consequences of hCG exposure on DCs.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of myeloid and lymphoid DC subsets from peripheral blood using flow cytometry.
- Assessment of MHC class II and adhesion/costimulatory molecules before and after hCG culture.
- Analysis of hCG receptor expression on DCs via RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Myeloid DC frequency increased, while lymphoid DC frequency decreased in late pregnancy.
- Physiological hCG concentrations induced maturation of both DC subsets.
- hCG enhanced DC expression of adhesion/costimulatory molecules, allogeneic MLR activity, and cytokine secretion (IL-12, IFN-γ).
- RT-PCR confirmed hCG receptor presence on both DC subsets, indicating a direct mechanism of action.
Conclusions:
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) modulates immune responses by activating myeloid and lymphoid dendritic cells (DCs).
- DCs express hCG receptors, mediating the observed immune modulatory effects.
- These findings highlight a novel mechanism of immune regulation during pregnancy.
