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The change of membrane complement regulatory protein in chorion of early pregnancy
K Nishikori1, J Noma, S Hirakawa
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Insights
Membrane complement inhibitors like decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) are crucial in early pregnancy. Their expression in trophoblasts varies with gestational stage, highlighting their role in pregnancy regulation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Complement system biology
- Early pregnancy development
Background:
- Membrane complement inhibitors (DAF, MCP, CD59) are key to complement system regulation.
- Their precise roles and distribution in early pregnancy remain largely speculative.
- Understanding these inhibitors is vital for comprehending pregnancy establishment and maintenance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of complement inhibitors (DAF, MCP, CD59) in early pregnancy villi.
- To determine the temporal and spatial expression patterns of these inhibitors.
- To elucidate the role of complement regulation in early human pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Indirect fluorescent immunostaining technique was employed.
- Villi samples were collected from 18 women before the 10th week of gestation.
- Expression of DAF, MCP, and CD59 was analyzed in syncytiotrophoblasts, extravillous trophoblasts, and villous cytotrophoblasts.
Main Results:
- DAF and MCP were consistently found on syncytiotrophoblasts (ST) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVT).
- DAF and MCP were present in villous cytotrophoblasts (VCT) before week 8 but absent after week 9.
- CD59 was detected in ST and EVT but not in VCT, showing sustained expression throughout early pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Complement inhibitors DAF, MCP, and CD59 play significant roles in early pregnancy.
- CD59 expression is sustained in early pregnancy, while MCP and DAF expression is stage-dependent.
- These findings underscore the importance of complement regulation for successful early pregnancy outcomes.
Abstract:
Research on membrane complement inhibitors (DAF, MCP, and CD59) has led to understanding of the regulation of complement system; however, their precise role and distribution remain speculative. In this study, we used an indirect fluorescent immunostaining to investigate the distribution of complements, MCP, DAF, and CD59, in the villi before the 10th week of pregnancy in 18 women. DAF and MCP were observed at the surface of syncytiotrophoblasts (ST) and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) in all subjects. They were observed in villous cytotrophoblast (VCT) in the subjects before the 8th week of pregnancy but were not observed in any subject after the 9th week. However, CD59 appeared in ST but never in VCT. MCP, DAF, and CD59 were observed in EVT. These findings indicated that these complement inhibitors played an important role in early pregnancy, and that CD59 continued to appear in early pregnancy, whereas the expression of MCP and DAF depended on the stage of pregnancy.