Abstract
The placenta is a rich source of immunocompetent mononuclear cells (MNCs) that have microbicidal, cytotoxic and lymphokine-producing capabilities (interleukin-2 (IL-2)). We have identified several immunologic properties of placental cells that differentiate them from the corresponding neonatal cord blood cells. Previous studies have established that cord blood MNCs have deficient natural killer1 (NK) activity and gamma interferon (IFN-ô ) production. The placental MNCs (prepared by collagenase and DNAase digestion followed by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient separation) are of fetal origin, as shown by chromosome analyses of cells from 4 placentas from male infants, all of which were XY. Cell sorting indicates a significantly higher proportion of NK Leu 11 cells in placenta compared to the corresponding cord blood (24 ± 4% vs 15 + 4%). All supernatants from placental MNC samples incubated with PHA for 48 hours produced signifïcant (>10 IU/ml) amounts of ô -IFN, (mean 27 ± 5 SEM) as assayed by a new radio-immunoassay (Centocor). This assay correlates well with the standard bioassay. Most (19/21) PHA-stimulated cord blood MNCs showed deficient production (<4 IU/ml) of ô-IFN. This could be partly corrected by incubation with IL-2 or IL-2 + PHA in 6/11 cord bloods. 22 adult PHA-stimulated MNC produced large amounts of ô-IFN (51±17 IU/ml).
These properties of placental immune cells suggest a separate and unique intrauterine immune system that preceeds the dormant fetal immune system. The latter may be activated by the use of interleukin 2.
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Stiehm, E., Murakami, D., Chin, T. et al. 1029 PLACENTAL CELLS OF FETAL ORIGIN SYNTHESIZE GAMMA INTERFERON. Pediatr Res 19, 282 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01059
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01059