Distribution of CD14+ and CD68+ Macrophages in the Placental Bed and Basal Plate of Women With Preeclampsia and Preterm Labor

Kim, J.-S.; Romero, R.; Cushenberry, E.; Kim, Y.M.; Erez, O.; Nien, J.K.; Yoon, B.H.; Espinoza, J.; Kim, C.J.

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2006.07.007

« Previous Next »Placenta
Volume 28, Issue 5 , Pages 571-576, May 2007

Distribution of CD14+ and CD68+ Macrophages in the Placental Bed and Basal Plate of Women With Preeclampsia and Preterm Labor

J.-S. Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA
R. Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Corresponding authors. Present address: Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Wayne State University, Hutzel Women's Hospital, 3990 John R, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. Tel.: +1 313 993 2700; fax: +1 313 993 2694.
E. Cushenberry
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Y.M. Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
O. Erez
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA
J.K. Nien
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA
B.H. Yoon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
J. Espinoza
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
C.J. Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Corresponding authors. Present address: Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Wayne State University, Hutzel Women's Hospital, 3990 John R, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. Tel.: +1 313 993 2700; fax: +1 313 993 2694.

Accepted 26 July 2006. published online 20 October 2006.

Abstract

Objective

Macrophages play a key role in implantation, placentation and parturition. Yet, whether or not the number of macrophages at the fetomaternal interface (basal plate of the placenta and placental bed) is altered in women with preeclampsia is the subject of controversy. The purpose of this study was to compare the immunoreactivity and distribution patterns of CD14 and CD68 positive macrophages in both the basal plate and placental bed from preeclamptic and non-preeclamptic pregnancies.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Paraffin embedded sections of placental tissues and placental bed biopsies were obtained from patients with early onset preeclampsia (n=10) and from those with preterm labor/delivery (n=10) without preeclampsia matched for gestational age. Double immunohistochemistry using antibodies to CD14 and CD68 was performed, and the density of double or single positive cells in the basal plate and placental bed was evaluated. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis.

Results

1) A unique subset of CD14−/CD68+ cells was identified. The cells in question were present at a higher level in the decidua than in the myometrial segment of the placental bed (p<0.01); 2) The density and proportion of CD14+/CD68+ cells (double positive cells) were significantly higher in the myometrial segment than in the basal plate (p=0.0003); and 3) There were no significant differences in the density and patterns of immunopositive macrophages in the basal plate, the decidua, and the myometrium between women with preeclampsia and those with preterm labor/delivery (p>0.05).

Conclusion

The macrophages at the fetomaternal interface can be dichotomized by CD14 and CD68 immunoreactivity. A gradient of CD14+/CD68+ macrophages was demonstrated between the superficial myometrium and the basal plate regardless of the etiology of preterm birth (preeclampsia or spontaneous preterm labor). The biological function of single positive (CD14−/CD68+) and double positive (CD14+/CD68+) macrophages at the fetomaternal interface remains to be established. The overall findings also suggest that the discrepancies in the literature are due to the varying markers used to detect macrophages and in the anatomical plane of the fetomaternal junction analyzed.

Keywords: Macrophage, CD14, CD68, Basal plate, Placental bed, Preeclampsia