Abstract
Evaluation of: Houser BL, Tilburgs T, Hill J, Nicotra ML, Strominger JL. Two unique human decidual macrophage populations. J. Immunol. 186(4), 2633–2642 (2011).
Constituents of the mononuclear phagocyte system, including macrophages (Mφs), display a remarkable potential to acquire variable phenotypes that rely on cell-to-cell contact and exposure to soluble factors in the tissue microenvironment. Mφs are a major subpopulation of the immunocompetent cells residing in the uterine endometrium during pregnancy. Although the activities of Mφs at the human feto–maternal interface are thought to be critical for tissue remodeling and immunological regulation, the phenotypic differentiation and molecular mechanisms underlying their activities have not been fully elucidated. A recent publication by Houser and colleagues provides novel insights into the biology of decidual Mφs (dMφs). The authors report that dMφs can be subcategorized by their cell surface expression of CD11c (CD11cHI and CD11cLO). Gene-expression arrays and functional assays clearly demonstrate the unique cell properties for dMφs defined by CD11c expression levels. In this article, we review and discuss the important findings of this dMφ re-classification and its impact on future research regarding mononuclear phagocyte system activities at the human feto–maternal interface.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.