Implications in the maintenance of pregnancy: I. presence of immunoreactive glycodelin in human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells

Abstract

Objective: We previously reported an antipeptide antibody to human glycodelin that recognizes glycodelin in amniotic fluid and epithelial glands of the endometrium. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of glycodelin in human umbilical cord. Design: Controlled clinical study. Setting: Healthy women undergoing normal delivery at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. Patient(s): Healthy women undergoing normal delivery. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Umbilical cord vein was isolated from the cord and used for immunohistochemical studies. Human umbilical cords and placentae were collected after full-term delivery. Cords were washed and fixed with formal sucrose. Decidua tissues and blood vessels from placentae were dissected out and fixed. Cryostat sections were immunostained with anti–glycodelin peptide antibody and anti–von Willebrand factor antibody. Result(s): Endothelial cells of human umbilical cord vein and artery were strongly immunostained with antiglycodelin antibody. Endothelial cells of the vein were more strongly stained than those of the artery. These cells were confirmed as endothelial cells by positive immunostaining with anti–von Willebrand factor. The epithelial cells outlining the cord were stained with antiglycodelin antibody but not with anti–von Willebrand factor antibody. Conclusion(s): This is the first study showing that immunoreactive glycodelin is present in endothelial cells of the umbilical cord. Glycodelin in the umbilical cord may have immunosuppressive or other, unknown functions affecting the physiology or pathophysiology of pregnancy. Whether umbilical vein endothelial cells synthesize glycodelin or serve as reservoir for glycodelin is currently under investigation.