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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
Published on: June 24, 2020
Differential immunophenotype of macrophages in acute and chronic chorioamnionitis
Go-Eun Bae1, Joon-Seok Hong2, Jung-Sun Kim1,3
1Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Insights
Macrophages play a role in acute (ACA) and chronic (CCA) chorioamnionitis. Their specific types and locations in the chorioamniotic membranes differ between ACA and CCA, indicating distinct functions in pregnancy complications.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Immunology
- Pathology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chorioamnionitis, an infection of the amniotic membranes, is a major cause of preterm birth.
- Acute chorioamnionitis (ACA) is typically associated with infection, while chronic chorioamnionitis (CCA) is linked to fetal rejection.
- Macrophages are key immune cells involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of macrophages in acute chorioamnionitis (ACA) and chronic chorioamnionitis (CCA).
- To determine the immunophenotype of macrophages in different regions of the chorioamniotic membranes in ACA and CCA.
- To understand the role of macrophages in the pathogenesis of chorioamnionitis.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of chorioamniotic membranes from three groups: controls, ACA cases, and CCA cases.
- Antibodies used included CD14, CD68, CD163, and DC-SIGN to identify macrophage subsets.
- Analysis focused on the chorionic trophoblastic layer, decidua, and chorioamniotic mesodermal layer.
Main Results:
- Macrophages were significantly increased in the chorionic trophoblastic layer in both ACA and CCA compared to controls.
- In ACA, macrophages in the decidua and membranes expressed CD14.
- In CCA, macrophages in the chorionic trophoblastic layer showed CD68 positivity, and DC-SIGN-positive cells increased in the mesodermal layer.
Conclusions:
- Macrophages are involved in the inflammatory processes of both ACA and CCA.
- The distinct immunophenotypes of macrophages in ACA and CCA suggest disease-specific and location-specific roles at the feto-maternal interface.
- Understanding these macrophage roles may offer insights into targeted therapies for chorioamnionitis.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement and immunophenotype of macrophages in acute chorioamnionitis (ACA) and chronic chorioamnionitis (CCA), marking amniotic fluid infection and anti-fetal rejection, respectively.
Methods:
Chorioamniotic membranes from (1) gestational age-matched cases without chorioamnionitis, (2) cases with ACA, and (3) cases with CCA were studied after immunohistochemical staining using antibodies against CD14, CD68, CD163, and DC-SIGN.
Results:
Macrophages increased prominently in the chorionic trophoblastic layer of both ACA and CCA cases in contrast to non-inflammatory cases. Macrophages in the decidua and the chorioamniotic membranes of ACA cases expressed CD14. Macrophages in the chorionic trophoblastic layer of CCA cases were characterized by CD68 positivity. DC-SIGN-positive cells were increased in the chorioamniotic mesodermal layer of CCA cases.
Conclusions:
Macrophages participate in the inflammatory response in ACA and CCA. The differential immunophenotypes of macrophages in the decidua and chorioamniotic membranes of ACA and CCA cases suggest their disease-specific and region-specific roles at the feto-maternal interface.
