Cytologic phenomena accompanying uterine cervix electrocoagulation.

In the study of cellular and tissue response to electrocoagulation of the uterine cervix, two cytologic phenomena accompanying the delayed healing process were described: the "contact-developed lucid cell" and the "regression field," which were limited to smear samples exhibiting the transitory appearance of abnormal cells after electrocoagulation. While "contact-developed lucid cells," which were firmly attached to abnormal target cell nuclei in a "cell-in-a-cell" pattern, had a variable effect upon subsequent smear scores, the "regression field," which is similar to that described by others during immunologic rejection of kidney transplants, was consistently followed by a shift of the smear score from the dysplasia range to the normal range. We suggest that abnormal cells differentiated during the healing process as well as those present both before and after treatment are subject to an immune rejection induced by uterine cervical electrocoagulation.

Association of some cell surface antigens of lymphoid cells and cell surface differentiation antigens with early rat pregnancy.

Monoclonal antibodies and the immunoperoxidase technique were used to localize some cell surface antigens of rat lymphoid cells and cell surface differentiation antigens on cryostat sections of early rat pregnancies. The W3/13 leucocyte sialoglycoprotein was detected almost constantly on trophoblast. The immunoglobulins were more associated with mother's rather than with embryo-derived tissues. We were unable to detect considerable amounts of class I and class II major histocompatibility complex-derived antigens on trophoblast and adjacent decidual cells. The Ia+ cells of the lymphocyte type were occasionally detected in the sites exhibiting presence of immunoglobulins. The Thy-1 cell surface differentiation antigen was detected on the cells producing Thy-1+ material among decidual cells. Depletion of Thy-1 was followed by the regression of decidualized tissue. The OX-2 antigen, known as minor glycoprotein of rat thymocytes, was detected on trophoblast cells and endothelia of decidual vessels, the latter exhibiting also class I major histocompatibility complex-derived antigens. The non-pregnant uterine tissues, as well as the oviduct epithelium were also investigated. The possible role of some of these antigens in the maintenance of the 'immunologically privileged' stage of trophoblast, and in the control of the rearrangement of maternal tissues surrounding the embryo, is discussed.

The localization of Thy-1.1, MRC OX 2 and Ia antigens in the rat ovary and fallopian tube.

The localization of Thy-1, MRC OX 2 and Ia antigens as defined by monoclonal antibodies MRC OX 7, MRC OX 2 and MRC OX 6 was determined by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique on cryostat sections of rat ovaries. Thy-1 antigen was present significantly in the theca interna of growing antral follicles. Developing corpora lutea exhibited an increasing presence of Thy-1 antigen and it was still present in degenerating ones. Thy-1 antigen was constantly present in fallopian tube tunica propria. The MRC OX 2 antigen was expressed most on ovarian structures that do not develop further, i.e. granulosa of degenerating antral follicles and third generation of corpora lutea. MRC OX 2 antibody stained the capillaries of the fallopian tube; the most heavily MRC OX 2+ were the cells of ovarian germinal epithelium. The Ia+ cells were occasionally found within the growing ovarian structures but they were more frequent in degenerating ones. Rare or no la+ cells within the ovary and heavily Ia-depleted thymus medulla and Ia areas in the spleen were, however, observed in some rats. The role of these antigens with respect to the structures they label is discussed.