engleski

Immunoregulation at the interface in Fallopian tuba ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy represents a model for investigation of immunoregulation at the maternal-fetal interface. The aim was to examine the presence and distribution of leukocyte subpopulations, perforin (P) and IL-15 expression and cytokine profiles in fallopian tuba ectopic pregnancy. Samples from (a) tubal mucosa at the implantation site, (b) tubal mucosa away from the implantation site, and (c) intrauterine (i.u.) decidua were analyzed. Lymphocyte subpopulations, perforin and IL-15 cytokine expression were determined by immunohistology and flowcytometry. CD3+ and CD8+ cells predominate (60%) over CD56+ cells at tubal implantation site (15%) while intrauterine decidua contained less than 10% of CD3+ cells and around 70% of NK cells which is approximately equal to decidua of normal pregnancy. Many P+ and IL-15+ cells were present in i.u. decidua but rare in tubal mucosa. 50% of lymphocytes from i.u. decidua are P+ but only 5% at tubal implantation site. In i.u. decidua P was mostly distributed in CD56+ NK cells (90%) while in both sites of tubal mucosa was equally distributed between CD56+ and CD3+ cells. The number of NK cels, P+ and IL-15+ cells at tubal implantation site is significantly lower compared to i.u. implantation site in normal pregnancy, what could be responsible for insufficient control of trophoblast growth in ectopic pregnancy.

ectopic pregnancy; NK cells; perforin; IL-15

DOI: 10.1111/j.8755-8920.2004.00213.