Christia B. Ekerfelt

Publications (1)2.17 Total impact

• Article: Suppressor macrophages in early pregnancy human decidua

  Charlotte M. Lidström, Leif S. Matthiesen, Göran Berg, Surendra Sharma, Jan H. Ernerudh, Christia B. Ekerfelt
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  ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Local immune modulation has been shown to be of considerable importance for successful pregnancy. We have previously detected the secretion of IFN-, IL-4 and IL-10 in human decidua from early normal pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the cell types in decidua, as well as in peripheral blood, responsible for cytokine secretion.METHODS: Decidual tissue and peripheral blood was collected from 20 healthy women undergoing surgical abortion during first trimester pregnancy. Monocytes/macrophages and NK cells were obtained by magnetic cell separation and the cytokine secretion was detected by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot-forming cell (ELISPOT) assay.RESULTS: Decidual and peripheral monocytes/ macrophages and NK cells spontaneously secrete IFN-, IL-4 and IL-10. The number of IL-10 secreting cells was significantly higher among decidual macrophages compared with decidual non-monocytic cells and blood monocytes/macrophages. These differences were not seen for IFN- or IL-4. Our results indicate that macrophages subserve important suppressive functions in the pregnant uterus.
  American Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 08/2002; 48(3):148 - 148. · 2.17 Impact Factor