RCAS1 decidual immunoreactivity during placental abruption: Immune cell presence and activity

Abstract

Problem: RCAS1 is a protein responsible for the suppression of cytotoxic immune response during gestation. The present study evaluates the immunoreactivity level of RCAS1 with respect to immune cell status during placental abruption (PA) and retained placental tissue (RPT). Method of study: RCAS1, CD3, CD56, CD69 and CD25 immunoreactivity was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 66 decidual samples derived from PA and from RPT. Results: RCAS1 immunoreactivity was statistically significantly higher in decidual tissue samples derived from patients with RPT than in those derived from patients with PA. A statistically significantly lower number of CD56+ and CD3+ cells and immunoreactivity level of CD69 were found in patients with RPT, compared to those with PA. Conclusion: Placental abruption seems to be associated with excessive accumulation and activity of CD3+ and CD56+ cells in decidua, which processes might, in turn, result from an insufficient RCAS1 decidual level. © 2007 The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard.