Predominance of Th2-promoting dendritic cells in early human pregnancy decidua

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells required for the priming and activation of T cells and promote the differentiation of naive CD4(+) T cells toward the T helper cell type 1 (Th1) or Th2 phenotype. Here, we describe the characterization of CD45(+)CD3(-)CD14(-)CD16(-)CD19(-)CD20(-)CD56(-)HLA-DRbright DCs from early human pregnancy decidua by flow cytometry. The percentage of DCs to mononuclear cells (leukocytes) in the decidua was significantly higher than that in the peripheral blood. Moreover, decidual DCs expressed costimulatory molecules such as CD80 and CD86 and a mature marker such as CD83 on their surface. The percentage of CD11c(+)CD123(-) myeloid DCs in the decidua was significantly higher than that in the peripheral blood. Conversely, the ratio of CD11c(-)CD123(+) lymphoid DCs in the decidua was significantly lower than that in the peripheral blood. The number of interleukin (IL)-12-producing cells in the total DC population and the myeloid DCs in the decidua was significantly lower than that, in the peripheral blood. IL-12 secretion by activated decidual myeloid DCs was significantly lower than that by peripheral DCs. Naive CD4(+) T cells primed with decidual myeloid DCs led to a higher percentage of Th2 cells in comparison with that with peripheral myeloid DCs. This finding was abolished by exogenous IL-12 administration with decidual myeloid DCs. Thus, the DCs in the decidua could regulate the Th1/Th2 balance to maintain a Th2-dominant state, leading to maintenance of pregnancy.