The characterization of fibrocyte-like cells: A novel fibroblastic cell of the placenta

Riddell, M.R.; Winkler-Lowen, B.; Chakrabarti, S.; Dunk, C.; Davidge, S.T.; Guilbert, L.J.

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2011.12.012

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Volume 33, Issue 3 , Pages 143-150, March 2012

The characterization of fibrocyte-like cells: A novel fibroblastic cell of the placenta

M.R. Riddell
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2S2
B. Winkler-Lowen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2S2
S. Chakrabarti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2S2
C. Dunk
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5G 1X5
S.T. Davidge
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2S2
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2S2
- Corresponding author. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2S2. Tel.: +1 (780) 492 1864; fax: +1 (780) 492 1308.
L.J. Guilbert
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2S2

Accepted 15 December 2011. published online 09 January 2012.

Abstract

The placenta is a highly vascularized organ thus angiogenesis is a key process in placental development. The contribution that different cells in the villous stroma play in placental angiogenesis is largely unknown. In this study we identified a novel stromal cell type in sections of term placenta which is morphologically fibroblastic and expressing the fibroblast marker TE-7 but also positive for the monocytic markers CD115 and CD14 and designated these cells as fibrocyte-like cells. Populations of fibrocyte-like cells from the placenta were isolated by two methods: culture of adherence-selected placental cells and, for higher purity, by CD45 fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS).

Fibrocyte-like cell conditioned medium increased endothelial tubule-like structure formation 2-fold versus control medium. Both pro-angiogenic growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and the anti-angiogenic factor soluble-Flt were found in the conditioned medium. Neutralizing antibodies against VEGF and b-FGF reduced endothelial cell tubule-like structures to control levels. These data suggests that fibrocyte-like cells, a previously unidentified cell of the villous stroma, may play an important role in the regulation of placental angiogenesis.

Keywords: Placenta, Fibrocyte, Angiogenesis, Macrophage, Monocyte