Trophoblast cell (CTB) invasion into the maternal endometrium plays a crucial role during human embryo implantation and placentation. As for all invasive cell types, the ability of CTB to infiltrate the uterine wall is facilitated by the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which is regulated by tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). There is evidence for the expression of several MMPs and TIMPs in decidua. However, published data are limited. Therefore, to set a foundation for future research, we screened a panel of healthy human deciduas obtained during first, second and third trimester of pregnancy in addition to isolated decidual cell populations for the expression of all known human MMPs and TIMPs by RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. In the decidual samples, we detected almost all MMPs and all four TIMPs at mRNA level. While the expression of proMMP-3 and active MMP-13 and -23 was down-regulated in the course of pregnancy, the pro forms of MMP-8, -19 and -23, active MMP-9, -10, -12, -15, -16, -26 and -28, and pro- and active MMP-14 increased towards the end of gestation. All MMPs and TIMPs were expressed in uterine natural killer cells, decidual fibroblasts and/or trophoblasts, with the exception of MMP-20 and -25. In summary, a remarkably broad spectrum of MMPs was expressed at the human feto-maternal interface, reflecting the highly invasive and remodelling effect on placenta formation. It can be speculated that expression of MMPs correlates with the invasive potential of CTBs together with a crucial role in activation of labour at term.

Aim: This randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of Lactobacillus reuteri on pregnancy gingivitis in healthy women. Materials and Methods: Forty-five healthy women (24 test/21 placebo) with pregnancy gingivitis in the third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled. At baseline Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PlI) were assessed at the Ramfjord teeth and venous blood taken for TNF-a analysis. Subsequently participants were randomly provided with lozenges to be consumed 2 9 daily until birth (approx. 7 weeks) containing ≥10 8 CFU L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and ≥10 8 CFU L. reuteri DSM 17938 (test) or being devoid of L. reuteri (placebo). Within 2 days after birth recording of GI, PlI and blood sampling were repeated. Results: At baseline, mean GI and mean PlI did not differ significantly between both groups. In the test group mean TNF-a serum level was significantly (p < 0.02) lower than in the placebo group. At reevaluation, mean GI and mean PlI of the test group were both significantly (p < 0.0001) lower than in the placebo group. Mean TNF-a serum level did no longer differ significantly between the groups. Conclusions: The consumption of L. reuteri lozenges may be a useful adjunct in the control of pregnancy gingivitis. Ulrich

Studying the proportion of decidual immune cells during pregnancy, we detected a unique pattern which could be useful to design novel therapies for pathological conditions during pregnancy.

BackgroundChanges in the balance of decidual leucocyte populations may lead to an unfavourable uterine microenvironment which may be associated with the development of preeclampsia (PE). In this study, we therefore investigated the leucocyte subpopulations in decidual tissues of 33 women with preeclampsia and 66 control patients.MethodsDecidua was either obtained via curettage during cesarean section or dissected from the surface of the basal plate of the placenta after spontaneous delivery. We used FACS analysis to quantify decidual leukocytes (CD45), NK cells (CD56+/CD16+ and CD56++/CD16-), antigen presenting cells (HLA-DR, DC-Sign, CD14) and T/B cells (CD8, CD4, alpha-beta-T-cell receptor, gamma-delta-T-cell receptor, CD25, CD19).ResultsThe number of decidual cytotoxic CD8+T-lymphocytes (P < 0.02), alpha-beta -T-cell receptor positive T cells (P < 0.03) and of CD56+/CD16+ NK cells (P < 0.03) was lower in decidua from women with PE than in decidua from control patients.ConclusionThe observed reduction of specific leucocyte subsets could create a microenvironment which is unfavourable for an appropriate placentation and could thereby be involved in the development of preeclamptic symptoms.

Our findings suggest that the female sex hormones hCG and E2 inhibit the T-cell stimulatory capacity of DCs, which may help in preventing an allogenic T-cell response against the embryo.