Presence of CD30(+) and CD30L(+) cells in human placenta and soluble CD30 levels in cord blood are independent of maternal atopy

The intrauterine environment is characterized by a Th2 dominance during pre gnancy, a milieu that also promotes atopic allergy. The aim of this study w as to compare the presence of CD30, a molecule associated with Th2 related disorders such as atopic allergy, and its ligand (CD30L) in placenta in ord er to investigate if the placenta environment differs between atopic and no n-atopic nomen. Serum concentrations of soluble CD30 (sCD30) from the mothe rs and their new borns were also elucidated. There were no differences in t he immunohistochemical expression of CD30 and CD30L in placenta from atopic (n = 28) compared with non-atopic (n = 37) women. CD30 was expressed on th e decidual stromal cells alone, while CD30L, previously not described in pl acenta, mas detected on macrophage-like HLA-DR+ cells throughout the mesenc hymal chorionic villi. Serum sCD30 in atopic mothers was significantly elev ated compared with serum sCD30 in non-atopic mothers (P<0.05), while sCD30 levels in cord blood were similar in both groups independently of maternal atopic heredity. We suggest that sCD30 in cord blood and CB30 expression by decidual cells may reflect the Th2 environment surrounding the fetus, and both CD30 and CD30L could have immune regulatory functions in placenta. <(c )> 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.