Platform for Quantitative Detection of Endometrial Immune Cells Based on Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis.

Abstract

To evaluate the endometrial immune microenvironment of patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM), a digital immunohistochemistry image analysis platform was developed and validated to quantitatively analyze endometrial immune cells during the mid-luteal phase. All endometrium samples were collected during the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Paraffin-embedded endometrial tissues were sectioned into 4 µm thick slides, and immunohistochemistry (IHC)staining was carried out for detecting endometrial immune cells, including CD56+ uNK cells, Foxp3+ Tregs, CD163+ M2 macrophages, CD1a+ DCs, and CD8+ T cells. The panoramic slides were scanned using a digital slide scanner and a commercial image analysis system was used for quantitative analysis. The percentage of endometrial immune cells was calculated by dividing the number of immune cells in the total endometrial cells. Using the commercial image analysis system, quantitative evaluation of endometrial immune cells, which are difficult or impossible to analyze with conventional image analysis, could be easily, and accurately analyzed. This methodology can be applied to quantitatively characterize the endometrium microenvironment, including interaction between immune cells, and its heterogeneity for different reproductive failure patients. The platform for quantitative evaluation of endometrial immune cells may be of important clinical significance for the diagnosis and treatment of RM patients.