Localization and characterization of macrophages in murine uterus

• Published in: Journal of leukocyte biology Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 255 - 265
• Main Authors: Hunt, Joan S., Manning, Linda S., Mitchell, Deanna, Selanders, Jean R., Wood, Gary W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Society for Leukocyte Biology 01.08.1985; Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, Surface - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - analysis; Hormone metabolism and regulation; indirect immunofluorescence; Macrophages - cytology; Macrophages - immunology; Mammalian female genital system; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; murine macrophages; murine pregnancy; murine uterus; Pregnancy; Receptors, Complement - analysis; Receptors, Fc - analysis; tissue digestion; Uterus - cytology; Vertebrates: reproduction; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Uterus; Rodentia; Female genital system; Localization; Macrophage
• ISSN: 0741-5400; 1938-3673
• DOI: 10.1002/jlb.38.2.255

Macrophages are known to be present in the murine uterus and are known to be among those cells comprising the uterine decidual response to pregnancy. The extent of macrophage involvement in the decidual response has not been documented, and there are unresolved questions regarding expression of markers normally associated with macrophages on cells within the decidua. Using tissue immunohistology, macrophages were identified in virgin and pregnant murine uteri. A significant increase in macrophage density was noted during all stages of pregnancy. When uteri from virgin and pregnant mice were enzymatically digested, 10% of uterine cells from virgin and 22% from pregnant mice expressed macrophage markers (binding of rabbit antimouse macrophage serum, Fc γ receptor expression). Double labeling immunofluorescence demonstrated that the two markers were associated with the same cells. Those results were confirmed in “panning” experiments using a monoclonal antimouse macrophage reagent. In cell suspensions from pregnant murine (C3H/HeN) uteri, 50% of cells exhibiting macrophage markers were I‐Ak positive, and macrophages accounted for nearly all I‐Ak positive cells in uterine cell suspensions. The results of this study demonstrate that the murine decidual response to pregnancy includes an increase in Fc γ receptor‐bearing macrophages and that a relatively high percentage of those macrophages are la positive.