Human uterine decidual macrophages express renin

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Immunology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Human uterine decidual tissue comprises diverse cell types, including stromal cells and macrophages.
• Previous research indicated that decidualized uterine stromal cells primarily produce prorenin.
• The expression of renin by decidual macrophages remained uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether human decidual macrophages express renin.
• To characterize the form of renin produced by these macrophages.

Main Methods:

• Macrophages were isolated from term decidual cells using immunomagnetic beads targeting human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR.
• Isolated cells were analyzed for macrophage markers (CD14) and specific gene expression (interleukin-2 type alpha receptor, PRL).
• Renin expression was assessed using immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with renin in culture medium analyzed for its form (prorenin).

Main Results:

• Macrophage-enriched decidual cell fractions (92.1% CD14 positive) expressed renin and renin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).
• Renin, predominantly as prorenin, was detected in the conditioned medium of cultured decidual macrophages.
• Renin and renin mRNA were also found in the HLA-DR negative cell fraction, which was enriched for decidualized stromal cells (PRL positive).
• Peripheral mononuclear cells also showed renin mRNA expression.

Conclusions:

• Human decidual macrophages express renin, primarily in the prorenin form.
• Renin production is not exclusive to decidual stromal cells, with macrophages also contributing to its expression in decidual tissue.
• This study reveals renin expression in multiple cell types within the human decidua.