Number of decidual natural killer cells & macrophages in pre-eclampsia Article Swipe
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· 2016
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_776_15
· OA: W2609097770
Background & objectives: The process of human placentation is complex and still not well understood. This study was aimed to examine the relationship between clinical features of pre-eclampsia and degree of trophoblastic invasion after its immunohistochemical visualization in the context of possible alterations in the number of natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages in the decidua. Methods: This prospective study included a study group comprising 30 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia delivered by caesarean section and a control group comprising 20 healthy pregnant women also delivered by caesarean section. Samples of placental bed obtained during caesarean section were analyzed after immunohistochemical labelling CD56 + NK cells, CD68 + macrophages and cytokeratin 7 trophoblastic cells. Results: In pre-eclampsia, there was a significantly lower number of CD56 + NK cells in the decidua ( P <0.001) and a higher number of CD68 + macrophages ( P <0.001) compared to control group. In the subgroup of pre-eclampsia with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), a significantly greater number of NK cells ( P <0.05) was recorded, as well as an increased number of macrophages, but not significantly compared to pre-eclampsia without IUGR. There was no significant difference in the distribution of these cells in the decidua in relation to the severity of pre-eclampsia. CD56 + NK cells were significantly less ( P <0.05) and macrophages were more ( P <0.05) in the group with poor trophoblastic invasion. Interpretation & conclusions: Alterations in the number of immune cells in relation to the degree of trophoblastic invasion indicated their role in aetiopathogenesis of pre-eclampsia, while the direct association between their number and severity of pre-eclampsia was not confirmed.
