Neurochemical and cellular markers in human cervix of late pregnant, postpartal and non-pregnant women

Abstract

Background. The aim was to evaluate the peptidergic innervation and the dendritic cell content in the cervix uteri. Methods. Cervical biopsies were obtained from late pregnant (n = 5), postpartal (n = 5) and non-pregnant (n = 5) women. The samples were prepared for immunohistochemistry using antibodies to protein S-100 (S-100), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), human peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHM 27), neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), and human histocompatibility complex class II subregion DR (HLA-DR). Results. Nerve fibers positive for protein S-100, and dendritic cells positive for S-100 and HLA-DR were abundant in the cervix, especially at late pregnancy. CGRP, VIP, PHM-27 and NPY positive nerve fibers were present in non-pregnant, short nerve fibers and scattered immunoreactivity at term, and further scattered immunoreactivity after parturition. NPY positive nerve fibers were decreased at term, and after parturition a scattered immunoreactivity was observed. Conclusions. The abundant protein S-100 positive nerve fibers implies an impact of myelinated nerves in the cervix uteri during pregnancy. The abundant dendritic cells, positive for HLA-DR and S-100, especially at term, indicates a general activation of the immune system until late pregnancy and parturition. The changed occurrence and distribution of immunoreactivity for CGRP, VIP and PHM-27 suggest a release of these neuropeptides until term. The changes in NPY immunoreactivity indicate a release of NPY around parturition.