Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify the role of mast cells and substance P (SP)-containing nerve fibers in human decidua in normal and pathological pregnancies. We collected decidua from women undergoing termination of normal pregnancies and from abortions. The presence of mast cells and SP was detected by immunohistochemistry. We observed a sparse distribution of mast cells in the normal pregnancies (36.7 tryptase+ mast cells/mm2 decidua). In the decidua from abortion, we found a dramatic increase in the number of mast cells (448.7 and 469.2 tryptase+ mast cells/mm2 decidua in primary and secondary abortions, respectively). In addition, we observed an increase of SP-positive nerve fibers in the decidua of abortions. Our data suggest that decidual mast cells may play an important role in the onset of abortion, due to the production of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
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