Macrophage- but not monocyte-derived extracellular vesicles induce placental pro-inflammatory responses

Placenta. 2018 Sep:69:92-95. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.07.011. Epub 2018 Jul 24.

Abstract

The placenta sheds extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, into the maternal circulation. We recently demonstrated that this trafficking of EVs is bi-directional; with uptake of macrophage exosomes by the placenta inducing cytokine release. The specificity of this response is currently unknown. THP-1 cells were cultured as monocytes or differentiated to macrophages, and EVs isolated by ultra-centrifugation. The effect of EVs on human placental explants was measured by cytokine ELISA/luminex. Macrophage, but not monocyte, EVs induce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the placenta. Thus, placental responses to immune cell EVs, including exosomes, reflects the phenotype of the source cell.

Keywords: Cytokines; Exosomes; Explants; Extracellular vesicles; Immunology; Macrophages; Reproductive immunology; Trophoblast.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Extracellular Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy