Two patterns of cytokine production by placental macrophages.

Introduction: Macrophages participate in the regulation immune and morphogenetic events in the placenta. However, these roles remain unclear for placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells). The aims of this study were to characterize the consecutive steps of cytokine production (intracellular synthesis and secretion) in placental macrophages in early and late gestation and to compare the secretory profiles of placental macrophages and villous tissue.

Macrophages are a source of IL-17 in the human placenta.

Problem: To determine if placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells) can synthesize and secrete cytokines of the IL-17 family throughout pregnancy and to reveal the patterns of cytokine expression in early and late gestation.

Methods Of Study: Macrophages were isolated from the first-trimester and term placental villous tissues from normal pregnancies. Basal and stimulated intracellular production of IL-17A, IL-17E, IL-17F as well as IL-17A secretion was quantified by flow cytometry and cytometric bead array, respectively.

Coordinated expression of TNFα- and VEGF-mediated signaling components by placental macrophages in early and late pregnancy.

Introduction: Mononuclear phagocytes are thought to significantly contribute to cytokine regulation at the maternal-foetal interface, but the role of placental macrophages has been poorly investigated. TNFα and VEGF were demonstrated to have regulatory effects on basic structures of the placenta, particularly the trophoblast and blood vessels. The aims of this study were to determine the expression of TNFα, VEGF and related receptors in placental macrophages, and how does the participation of placental macrophages alter with gestational age in TNFα- and VEGF-mediated signaling.

Comparative phenotypic characterization of human cord blood monocytes and placental macrophages at term.

The expression of surface molecules in cord blood monocytes and placental macrophages was studied using flow cytometry. When compared with monocytes, macrophages presented a decrease in HLA-DR and LAP/TGF-β1 levels and increased expression of alternative activation markers, especially CD206. No difference in the production of the apoptotic factors TRAIL and TWEAK was observed, whereas the levels of cytokine receptors in monocytes were significantly higher than in macrophages.