Immunohistochemical Localization of Macrophage CD68+,

HLA-DR+, L1+ and CD44+ Subsets in Uterine Endometrium During Different Phases of  Menstrual Cycle

1 Departments of Physiology and

All India Institute of Medical Sciences,

New Delhi – 110 029

and

3 Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Research and Science,

New Delhi – 110 016

Abstract : Different tissue macrophage subsets were immunohistochemically examined in normal endometrial samples collected from proliferative (n=4), peri-ovulatory (n=6) and secretory (n=8) phases of menstrual cycles in women. The different macrophage subsets, namely CD68 (pan macrophage marker), CD44 (transmembrane adhesion molecule), HLA-DR (trans-membrane heterodimeric protein involved in antigen presentation) and L1 (calprotectin)-positive cells, as well as, CD45 (common leucocytic antigen)-positive cells were examined on the basis of immunohistochemical staining, and areas of immunoprecipitation were analyzed morphometrically using computer-assisted video imaging system. The stage-specific distribution of receptors for estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) in endometrial cells were examined and morphometrically analyzed. There was an increase in the number of CD45+ cells (P<0.01) and CD68+ cells (P<0.05) in secretory phase endometrium compared with proliferative and peri-ovulatory phases. There was no remarkable cycle dependent pattern in HLA-DR+ and L1+ cells. However, there was an increase in CD44 immunopositive area in peri-ovulatory (P<0.05) and in secretory (P<0.01) phases of endometrium compared with proliferative phase endometrium. A higher (P<0.01) degree of immunopositivity for ER was observed during peri-ovulatory phase, and for PR, during peri-ovulatory (P<0.05) and secretory (P<0.01) phases compared with proliferative phase of cycle. Positive correlations between areas occupied by (i) CD68+ cells and PR (P<0.01), (ii) HLA-DR+ and L1+ cells (P<0.05), (iii) CD45+ and CD68+ cells (P<0.01), (iv) CD45+ and L1+ cells (P<0.05), and (v) PR and L1+ cells (P<0.05) were obtained. It appears that the recruitment of different macrophage subsets in human endometrium involves a complex set of endocrine and paracrine factors.

Key words : endometrium              immunohistochemistry            macrophage

                     morphometry            peri-ovulatory phase              proliferative phase