introduction: introduction: leucocytes accounted for 26-36% of the stromal cells in decidua of the first trimester of gestation in which 75% of them is related to endometrial granulated lymphocytes (egl) with an unusual natural killer (nk) cell-like phenotype. different roles are proposed for egl, but fundamental role of these cells in control for normrly underestood. material and methods: in t...

Trophoblasts perform different functions depending on their location. This study aimed to obtain structural clues about the of villous and extravillous trophoblasts by using light electron microscopy. Term placenta samples were obtained from 10 healthy pregnant women following cesarean sections. Frozen sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin, semi- thin toluidine blue examined a microscope, whi...

Combination therapies constitute a powerful tool for cancer treatment. By combining drugs with different mechanisms of action, the limitations each individual agent can be overcome, while increasing therapeutic benefit. Here, we propose employing tumor-migrating decidua-derived mesenchymal stromal cells as agents antiangiogenic therapy and chemotherapy. First, plasmid encoding protein endostati...

BACKGROUND Effects of vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy have been associated with some adverse pregnancy outcomes. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) is integral to the vitamin D metabolic pathway. The enzyme catalyzes localized conversion of pro-hormone 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Our aim was to investigate the expression of CYP27B1 at the fetal-mate...

BACKGROUND Decidua is in close contact with the fetal trophoblasts, and involved in immune relationship of mother to fetus. However, the roles of decidua and decidual stromal cells (DSC) in materno-fetal immune regulation remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the expression and regulation of chemokines and their receptors in decidua and DSCs were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS The...

At parturition, breakdown of extracellular matrix in the fetal membranes may play a part in the rupture of the membranes and in the aetiology of premature rupture, in addition to having a regulatory role in the cell-cell interactions and signalling at the feto-maternal interface to stimulate myometrial contractility. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important enzymes for the breakdown o...

An assay procedure was developed in which phosphatidyl[2-(3)H]inositol was employed as substrate for the measurement of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity. Employing this assay, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity in human fetal membranes and uterine decidua was identified and characterized. The specific activity of this enzyme in amnion (4.4 mumol x mg(-1...