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Immunohistochemical evidence for the heterogeneity of maternal and fetal vascular endothelial cells in human full-term placenta

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Abstract

The heterogeneity of endothelial cell surface antigen expression was studied in 5 human full-term placentae by means of indirect immunohistochemistry using 9 monoclonal antibodies and by staining with fluorescent-conjugated Ulex europaeus lectin, both of which are widely used endothelial cell markers. (1) A highly specific, homogeneous staining of fetal and maternal placental vessels of all sizes and anatomical regions was observed by the monoclonal antibodies PAL-E, QBEND10 and 1F10. These antibodies were even more specific than Ulex europaeus lectin, factor VIII antibody and von Willebrand factor antibody, which cross-reacted with some non-endothelial cells and structures. The reactivity of PAL-E, QBEND10 and 1F10 with residual surface cells of the basal plate strongly suggests an endothelial origin of these cells. (2) In contrast to other organs, PAL-E, QBEND10 and HM 15/3 strongly stained endothelial cells of the macrovascular system in the human placenta. This might indicate an organ-associated heterogeneity of fetal endothelial cells. (3) Monoclonal antibodies against receptors for transferrin and IgG (FcγRII) labeled the endothelial cells of fetal placental vessels with increasing intensity distal to the insertion of the umbilical cord. The vessels of the umbilical cord itself were unreactive. This might suggest a heterogeneity of macro- and microvascular endothelial cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, A-8036, Graz, Austria

    Ingrid Lang & Gernot Desoye

  2. Institute of Histology and Embryology, University of Graz, Austria

    Michaele Hartmann, Astrid Blaschitz & Gottfried Dohr

  3. Department of Zoology, University of Graz, Austria

    Gerhard Skofitsch

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  1. Ingrid Lang
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  2. Michaele Hartmann
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  3. Astrid Blaschitz
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  4. Gottfried Dohr
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  5. Gerhard Skofitsch
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  6. Gernot Desoye
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Lang, I., Hartmann, M., Blaschitz, A. et al. Immunohistochemical evidence for the heterogeneity of maternal and fetal vascular endothelial cells in human full-term placenta. Cell Tissue Res 274, 211–218 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318740

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318740

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