Differential regulation of colony stimulating factor 1 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression by inflammatory cytokines in term human decidua: implications for macrophage trafficking at the fetal-maternal interface.

Abstract Macrophages are a major component of the leukocyte population of human pregnant endometrium. Although several crucial functions have been ascribed to these cells, the mechanisms underlying macrophage trafficking in the placental bed are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo expression of two potentially antagonistic macrophage-targeting chemokines, colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1, also known as M-CSF) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), in term decidua, and to examine the effects of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF, also known as TNF alpha) and interleukin 1beta (IL1B) on CSF1 and MIF expression in cultured decidual cells. The expression of CSF1 and MIF in term decidua was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Cultured decidual cells were primed with estradiol (E2) or with E2 + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), and then incubated with corresponding steroid(s) with or without TNF or IL1B. The levels of CSF1 and MIF protein and mRNA ...