Macrophages modulate the growth and differentiation of rhesus monkey embryonic trophoblasts.

Problem: Immune cells within the endometrium at implantation are thought to play an important role in implantation, although their exact role is not well understood.

Method Of Study: A co-culture system of rhesus monkey embryos and maternal immune cells was established. Blastocysts obtained by in vitro fertilization were co-cultured with peripheral blood cells or decidual macrophages.

Immunophenotype and cytokine profiles of rhesus monkey CD56bright and CD56dim decidual natural killer cells.

The primate endometrium is characterized in pregnancy by a tissue-specific population of CD56(bright) natural killer (NK) cells. These cells are observed in human, rhesus, and other nonhuman primate decidua. However, other subsets of NK cells are present in the decidua and may play distinct roles in pregnancy.

Modulation of cytokine and chemokine secretions in rhesus monkey trophoblast co-culture with decidual but not peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages.

Problem: Decidual macrophages are thought to promote pregnancy success, in part through interactions with invading trophoblast cells in hemochorial placentation. However, the factors that constitute this regulatory cross talk are not well understood.

Method Of Study: Rhesus monkey decidual and peripheral blood-derived macrophages were co-cultured with primary Rhesus trophoblasts.

Generation of macrophages from peripheral blood monocytes in the rhesus monkey.

Macrophages are found in tissues throughout the body and are important immune cells, however, these tissue macrophages are difficult to collect and study. Therefore, the ability to differentiate macrophages from peripheral blood precursors is an important research tool. Macrophage differentiation has been well studied in humans, but differentiation in the non-human primate is poorly characterized.