Toll-like Receptor-Mediated Responses by Placental Hofbauer Cells (HBCs): A Potential Pro-Inflammatory Role for Fetal M2 Macrophages

作者：Young Omar M; Tang Zhonghua; Niven Fairchild Tracy; Tadesse Serkalem; Krikun Graciela; Norwitz Errol R; Mor Gil; Abrahams Vikki M; Guller Seth^*

来源：American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2015, 73(1): 22-35.

DOI：10.1111/aji.12336

• Hofbauer cells
• macrophages
• placenta
• TLRs

ProblemMicrobial-driven responses in placenta are linked with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) function in Hofbauer cells (HBCs) and fetal macrophages of the placental villous core remains understudied.
Method of StudyFlow cytometry and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to establish the phenotype of HBCs. Regulation of cytokine secretion in response to treatment with TLR agonists and expression levels of TLRs and co-activators were compared in HBCs, placental fibroblasts (FIBs), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) using ELISA and qPCR.
ResultsAlthough flow cytometry and IHC revealed HBCs to be M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages, LPS and polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid [poly (I:C)] treatments markedly enhanced IL-6 secretion by HBCs, and expression of TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4, CD14, and MD-2 was the highest in HBCs.
ConclusionThese results indicate that although HBCs are M2 macrophages, inflammatory responses are induced through TLR-3 and TLR-4 in this cell type, suggesting a role in microbial-driven placental/fetal inflammation.

• 出版日期2015-1