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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Macrophages of human first trimester decidua express markers associated to alternative activation
Kristijan Cupurdija1, Dagmar Azzola, Ursula Hainz
1Institute of Histology and Embryology, Karl-Franzens-University, Graz, Austria.
Problem:
Depending on the type of their activation, macrophages may promote TH1- or TH2-type of immune responses. To date, not much is known about the activation phenotype of decidua macrophages, which - together with NK cells - constitute the majority of bone marrow derived cells at this location.
Method Of Study:
The study was based on analysis of healthy first trimester decidua by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. We analyzed expression of markers characteristic for alternatively activated macrophages (Mphi2).
Results:
The markers MS-1 (stabilin-1) and coagulation factor XIIIa were found expressed in the interior of decidua macrophages (DMphi). In contrast, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme induced in macrophages by IFNgamma, was not present in DMphi.
Conclusions:
First trimester DMphi display phenotypic markers associated to alternatively activated macrophages. In addition, absence of IDO indicates that DMphi are not under a predominant influence of IFNgamma.
