C. Ruiz et al., PHAGOCYTOSIS BY FRESH AND CULTURED HUMAN DECIDUAL STROMAL CELLS - OPPOSITE EFFECTS OF INTERLEUKIN-1-ALPHA AND PROGESTERONE, Journal of reproductive immunology, 33(1), 1997, pp. 15-26
Flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy have been employed
to show that a proportion of fresh and cultured human decidual stroma
l cells phagocytose latex particles. Phagocytosis of Escherichia coli
by cultured decidual stromal cells was, however, very low. Stimulation
of cultured decidual stromal cells with interleukin-1 alpha enhanced
phagocytosis of both latex particles and E. coli. In contrast, when de
cidual stromal cells were cultured with progesterone under decidualizi
ng conditions, phagocytic activity was reduced. These results suggest
the existence of an immune-endocrine circuit involving decidual stroma
l cells. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.