Dendritic cells are equally distributed in intrauterine and tubal ectopic pregnancies

Objective: To examine different stages of dendritic cells (DCs) in intrauterine (IUPs) and viable tubal (VTPs) pregnancies to further elucidate mechanisms of fetomaternal tolerance and extravillous trophoblast invasion. Design: Experimental study on patient-controlled material. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Seven women with normal IUPs and ten with VTPs in the first trimester. Intervention(s): Suction curettage in IUP, laparoscopy in VTP. Main Outcome Measure(s): Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin-7 (trophoblast), CD83 (mature DCs), DEC205 (activated but not fully mature DCs), DC-SIGN (immature macrophage-like DCs), and CD14 (macrophages) alone and in double staining. Result(s): The numbers of CD83(+) and DEC205(+) cells were similarly low in IUP and VTP (0.83 and 0.44 cells/mm(2); 2.28 and 2.96 cells/mm(2)). The number of DC-SIGN(+) cells was higher, though without significant differences among the entities examined (57.5 and 47.4 cells/mm(2)). About two-thirds of DC-SIGN(+) cells were also CD14(+) in IUP and VTP. Conclusion(s): The almost equal distribution of CD83(+), DEC205(+), and DC-SIGN(+) cells in IUP and VTP suggests analogue control mechanisms in intrauterine and extrauterine DC differentiation and a comparable role of these DCs for the development of fetomaternal tolerance. (Fertil Steril (R) 2011; 95: 28-32. (C)2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)