Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Original Articles

An Immunohistochemical Study of Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin and Lysozyme in the Hofbauer Cells of Human Placentas.: Ho Won Hwang, Ho Jong Chun, Chae Hong Suh; Korean J Pathol. 1988;22(1):63-69.

Abstract PDF: The present study has shown that immunohistochemical staining of the human placentas (5 first trimester and 20 full term placentas) for confirmation of the monocytic linease of its macrophage function. We used two macrophage associated glycoprotein; alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (A1Ac) and lysozyme (LSZ). The results from presence or absence of A1Ac & LSZ by immunohistochemical methods can be helpful to deceide the degree of differentiation of macrophage. In al the placentas examined a strong cytoplasmic reaction for A1Ac was seen in the Hofbauer cells, and the same cells of serial sections didn't stain for LSZ. The strong cytoplasmic reaction for A1Ac supports that Hofbauer cells are macrophage, but they didn't stain for LSZ, a bactericidal enzyme, we propose that these cells are not fully differentiated macrophage. The lack of LSZ may have some relevance to the pathogenesis of certain placental infections.

Light and Electron Microscopical Studies on the Stroma of Hydatidiform Mole.: Jong Tae Park, Sang Woo Juhng, Kyu Hyuk Cho; Korean J Pathol. 1987;21(4):240-248.

Abstract PDF: Many investigators were interested in the pathogenesis and the relationship between microscopical features and clinical behavior of hydatidiform mole. Trophoblastic cells in the trophoblastic disease were intensively examined histologically, ultrastructurally, immunohistochemically, and with hormone assay method, etc. But ultrastructural study on the stroma of hydatidiform mole was scarcely reported. In this paper, hydatidiform mole was examined at light and electron microscopic levels, with emphasis on the stroma. The results were as follows: 1) Hydropic degeneration of H-mole is more severe in the center of stroma and is not related with the degree of trophoblastic proliferation. Hofbauer cell and vascular structure are extremely rarely observed in the periphery of stroma which has relatively preserved cellular components. 2) Basement membrane is sometimes separated from trophoblastic layer. Degenerated cells in the stroma contain vacuoles, autophagosomes, and lipid droplets. Collagen is abundant in the loose interstitium. Hofbauer cells have no lysosome or phagosome. Vascular lumen is patient and endothelial cells are degenerated. From the above results, H-mole may be produced due to abnormal changes of trophoblasts and stromal changes may be a secondary process, so called autolysis. Hofbauer cells are not engaged in the stromal degeneration and may be different from usual tissue macrophages.

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