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

Omar M. Young, Zhonghua Tang, Tracy Niven-Fairchild, Serkalem Tadesse, Graciela Krikun, Errol R. Norwitz, Gil Mor, Vikki M. Abrahams, Seth Guller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Problem: Microbial-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 Study: Flow 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. Results: Although 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. Conclusion: These 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)22-35
Number of pages14
JournalAmerican Journal of Reproductive Immunology
Volume73
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015

Keywords

  • Hofbauer cells
  • Macrophages
  • Placenta
  • TLRs

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