DNA content and expression of tumour markers in germ cells adjacent to germ cell tumours in childhood: Probably A different origin for infantile and adolescent germ cell tumours

The origin of testicular germ cell tumours occurring during childhood is poorly understood. In adults, the classical seminomas and non-seminomas originate from carcinoma in situ of the testis, which can usually also be detected in seminiferous tubules adjacent to the tumours. In order to contribute with information regarding a possible association between carcinoma in situ and the childhood group of germ cell tumours, we investigated seminiferous tubules adjacent to 13 infantile yolk sac tumours, five infantile teratomas, and six adolescent germ cell tumours of various types, using morphological evaluation, immunohistochemical staining with markers for carcinoma in situ cells, and densitometric DNA measurement of the germ cells. We detected clear differences between the germ cell populations adjacent to adolescent and infantile germ cell tumours. The former were associated with both normal germ cells and carcinoma in situ cells. The presence of carcinoma in situ cells strongly suggested that the adolescent tumours arose from carcinoma in situ cells, like germ cell tumours occurring in adult men. Although we were in doubt in two cases, the infantile germ cell tumours were in general not associated with carcinoma in situ cells. The aetiology of infantile yolk sac tumours and teratomas may therefore be fundamentally different from that of adolescent and adult germ cell tumours. The origin of yolk sac tumours and teratomas remains to be elucidated.     

Erythropoietin and erythropoietin-receptor producing cells demonstrated by in situ hybridization in mouse visceral yolk sacs

We have previously demonstrated that mRNAs for erythropoietin and the erythropoietin receptor temporarily express on the visceral yolk sacs on days 9–11 of gestation in mice. In order to investigate the sites of expression, we performed in situ hybridization on visceral yolk sacs. Visceral yolk sacs from 10-day-old mice embryos were frozen in liquid nitrogen, and processed for cryosections. Sections were hybridized with a ³⁵S-labeled RNA probe complementary to mRNA coding for erythropoietin or erythropoietin receptor. Erythropoietin mRNA was detectable in 57.6% of the endodermal epithelial cells, while erythropoietin-receptor mRNA was discerned in 90.8% of the endodermal cells and mesodermal cells, including hemocyteblasts. Moreover, erythropoietin protein was detectable in 52.8% of the endodermal epithelial cells, and on the surface of hemocyteblasts and mesothelial cells. Erythropoietin-receptor protein was discernible in 87.2% of the endodermal cells and in the corresponding mesodermal cells to those where erythropoietin protein was expressed by immunohistochemical examinations. The results indicate that erythropoietin-synthesizing cells are located in half of the endodermal epithelial cells, while the majority of cells in the visceral yolk sac are erythropoietin-receptor-producing cells, indicating that almost all cell population in the visceral yolk sac is erythropoietin-responding cells via both autocrine and paracrine routes.     

Catecholamines in the yolk sac epithelium of the rat

Summary Catecholamines were found histochemically in the visceral yolk sac of the rat from embryonic day (ED) 10, i.e. before the amines become detectable in peripheral or central neurons of the fetus. Formaldehydeinduced fluorescence was confined to the apical part of the yolk sac epithelial cells. The specificity of histofluorescence has been confirmed by borohydride reduction, microspectrofluorimetry revealing an emission peak at 480 nm and administration of reserpine. The catecholamines present were identified by mass fragmentography using N,O-trifluoroacetyl derivatives. At ED 13 both dopamine and norepinephrine were present, while only dopamine was detected at ED 18^1/2. Maternal circulation or the epithelial cells themselves appear as possible sources of these catecholamines. The occurrence of amines in the yolk sac epithelium may reflect an intracellular role of these compounds, a barrier function of the epithelium or a step in a transport to the fetus where the amines might assume regulatory functions.Supported by grants from SNSF 3.231-0.77, Hartmann Müller Stiftung and Bruner FoundationPreliminary reports were presented at the Fourth International Catecholamine Symposium, Pacific Grove, USA, 1978 (Schlumpf et al., 1979), and at the International Symposium on Development and Chemical Specificity of Neurons, Schatzalp, Davos, 1978     

Adult bone marrow contains precursors for CD5+ B cells

To determine directly whether B cell precursors of adult origin are capable of generating CD5⁺ B cells, we reconstituted neonatal C3H.SCID mice with adult C57BL/6 bone marrow and analyzed splenic B cells 10 months later. Surface staining and flow cytometry revealed that the B cells were of donor origin and that 30% were CD5⁺. This confirms that in vivo generated CD5⁺ B cells can be adult derived. After anti-IgM (but not lipopolysaccharide) stimulation in vitro, virtually all of the B cells from the bone marrow-reconstituted mice expressed surface CD5. Sequence analysis of expressed V_HDJ_H genes from the CD5⁺ B cells present after anti-IgM stimulation revealed a high frequency of N nucleotide addition in CDR3 regions. The presence of N nucleotides indicates that these sequences were derived from CD5⁺ B cells of adult origin rather than from long-lived fetal precursor B cells present in either the adult bone marrow at the time of transfer or adult spleen. These experiments demonstrate conclusively that adult bone marrow contains precursors for CD5⁺ B cells and that unlike fetal liver-derived precursors these express terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase.     

Structure of the endodermal epithelium of the chick yolk sac during early stages of development

The structure of the areas pellucida and vasculosa of the early chick embryo (stages 11–29) was examined by light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The most striking feature of the endodermal cells of these areas is the presence of large intracellular yolk drops which are characteristic of the regions in which they are found: lipid-like homogeneous drops in the area pellucida, heterogeneously composed pleomorphic drops in the mid-region of the area vasculosa and granular drops at the periphery of the area vasculosa in the region of the sinus terminalis. On morphological criteria it is postulated that granular drops may arise by direct engulfment of extracellular yolk, but this does not appear to be true for pleomorphic or homogeneous drops. Since the apical junctions between endodermal cells across the yolk sac are tight, they seal off the extraembryonic compartment from the vitelline circulation and presumably prevent intercellular passage of the yolk constituents. Thus the endodermal epithelium must mediate the transport of nutrients from the yolk mass to the developing embryo. Endodermal cells exhibit a variation across the yolk sac in the presence and number of structures associated with uptake of extracellular materials. The mid-region of the area vasculosa appears to be the most endocytotically active region with an abundance of microvilli, bristle-coated pits and vesicles and apical canaliculi and vacuoles. There is a close association between the endoderm and vitelline blood vessels and this association is maintained, as the yolk sac develops, by the formation of small vessels juxtaposed between the vascular surface of the endoderm and the walls of the large vitelline vessels.     

Embryonic-maternal cell interactions at implantation in the fat-tailed dunnart,a dasyurid marsupial

Background: In marsupials implantation occurs about two-thirds the way through the short gestation before which time the embryo is surrounded by the permeable shell membrane which prevents physical contact between the trophoblast and uterine epithelium. Although the trophoblast has been shown to be invasive to varying degrees in several species of marsupials, the ultrastructure of the embryonic-uterine cell interactions at the time of implantation has not been described in this group. Methods: Thick plastic sections and transmission electron microscopy were employed to investigate the cellular interactions at implantation in the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), a dasyurid Australian marsupial. Results: Our results show that epithelial penetration begins when the embryo is at the late presomite/early somite stage. In the trilaminar region of the yolk sac (TYS), trophoblast cells adjacent to the embryo form desmosomes with uterine epithelial cells and also appear to fuse with them to form hybrid cells, the cytoplasm of which resembles that of trophoblast. Later in the TYS, as the placenta develops, trophoblast microvilli and larger cell processes invaginate, and interdigitate with, the highly folded maternal epithelium but do not invade it. At this time in the bilaminar, or avascular, yolk sac (BYS), multinucleate trophoblast giant cells (TGCs) from an annular region adjacent to the sinus terminalis intrude between, and possibly fuse with, the maternal epithelium. The invading TGCs spread laterally above the residual basal lamina before migrating into the stroma. Conclusions: In this species of marsupial at least, the cell interactions at the time of implantation are similar to those seen in some eutherian species despite the fact that the fetal chorion is of yolk sac rather than allantoic origin. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Insights into blood cell formation from hemogenic endothelium in lesser‐known anatomic sites

Background : Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are generated de novo in the embryo in a process termed the endothelial to hematopoietic transition (EHT). EHT is most extensively studied in the yolk sac and dorsal aorta. Recently new sites of hematopoiesis have been described, including the heart, somites, head, and venous plexus of the yolk sac. Results : We examined sites of HSPC formation in well‐studied and in less well‐known sites by mapping the expression of the key EHT factor Runx1 along with several other markers by means of confocal microscopy. We identified sites of HSPC formation in the head, heart and somites. We also identified sites of HSPC formation in both the arterial and venous plexuses of the yolk sac, and show that progenitors with lymphoid potential are enriched in hematopoietic clusters in close proximity to arteries. Furthermore, we demonstrate that many of the cells in hematopoietic clusters resemble monocytes or granulocytes based on nuclear shape. Conclusions : We identified sites of HSPC formation in the head, heart, and somites, confirming that embryonic hematopoiesis is less spatially restricted than previously thought. Furthermore, we show that HSPCs in the yolk sac with lymphoid potential are located in closer proximity to arteries than to veins. Developmental Dynamics 245:1011–1028, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Studies on the earliest sites of B cell differentiation in the mouse embryo.

The first immunoglobulin synthesising cells (cIgM⁺) were detected at the 11th gestational day in the foetal liver primordium and foetal blood of Balb/c mice using immunofluorescence techniques. The earliest appearance of cIgM⁺ cells in foetal spleen was 13 days and foetal bone marrow 14 days. No surface immunoglobulin cells (sIgM⁺) were noted in any foetal haemopoietic organ until 17 days of gestation. Extensive studies of 8–12 day foetal yolk sac, including organ cultures for 10 days, failed to reveal any cIgM⁺ or sIgM cells⁺. The first differentiation of Ig negative to Ig positive cells most probably occurs within the foetal liver primordium.     

In vitro studies of allotype suppression in mice

Long-term allotype suppression in (SJL x BALB/c)F₁ mice has been investigated in vitro, using a culture system which can be maintained over a period of at least 2 weeks. Spleen cells from (SJL x BALB/c)F₁ nonsuppressed mice, primed 2 to 5 months earlier, were cultured at a concentration of 3 x 10⁶ cells together with 10⁶ spleen or lymph node cells from suppressed or from nonsuppressed (control) mice and challenged in vitro with SRBC. Cultures were assayed on days 5, 8, 11, and 14 by the PFC assay, using specific anti-allotype sera to develop indirect plaques. Cells from suppressed mice were extremely efficient in preventing a “b” allotype response of the primed cells in vitro, even though the “a” allotype response in the same cultures was unaffected. A time lapse of approximately one week in culture was required before suppression was very obvious. The suppressive effect was abolished by treatment of suppressor cells with anti-θ serum. Evidence is presented that the suppressive effect is due to the production of a diffusible factor, rather than to a direct cell-cell interaction.     

A new cytoplasmic organelle,related to both lipid and glycogen storage materials in the yolk sac of the bat,Tadarida brasiliensis cynocephala

The gestation period of Tadarida is approximately four months long extending from late February to June. During the first half of gestation the yolk sac undergoes a complete collapse bringing two layers of endodermal cells into contact with one another and obliterating the cavity of the yolk sac. Both the endodermal and the mesodermal cells hypertrophy and develop into a glandular-looking organ during the latter half of gestation. Approximately a month before parturition the endodermal cells become progressively laden with lipid and glycogen. Immediately before birth, however, both of these storage materials are depleted. This depletion is preceded by the formation of an extensive array of hexagonal membranous channels within the cytoplasm. Some of the membranes of this organelle are closely applied to lipid droplets and glycogen granules can be observed in linear patterns within the hexagonal channels. Tissues taken at term showed the membranes of the hexagonal channels continuous with a paracrystalline membranous structure. The close morphological association of the membranous organelle to both the lipid and glycogen storage materials indicates that it is involved in their metabolism in the yolk sac of the bat.     

Hexose transport by chicken cecum during development

Hexose accumulation during development has been studied in tissue slices from chicken cecum. The age of birds ranged from 0 to 7 weeks after hatch. Ceca were divided into six portions according to their situation either proximal (PC), medial (MC) or distal (DC) to the ileocecal junction. In 0-day-old chicks all segments can accumulate 3-O-methyl-d-glucose (0.5 mmol/l) against a concentration gradient through a phloridzin-sensitive mechanism.Cumulative capacity is lower in DC than in PC and declines with development. Distal segments lose sugar transport ability 1–2 days after hatch whereas the medial region retains some concentrative ability in older birds. In 7-week chickens, PC slices have a similar cumulative ability to that of jejunum (yolk sac region). Kinetic studies showed that in PC the apparentK _m for phloridzin-sensitive transport was half that in 1-day- than in 7-week-old birds; apparentV _m increased by 50% in this time range. The ability to transport sugars by the cecum was further confirmed in isolated enterocytes from 5- to 7-week-old chickens using -methyl-d-glucoside (0.1 mmol/l) as substrate. Cell sugar concentration was greater in PC than in jejunal cells and jejunal greater than MC enterocytes. Sugar present in cells from DC was the same as in phloridzin-treated cells. It is concluded that cecal epithelium may play a significant role in the absorption of sugars during development.     

Radioautographic tracing of 3H-proline in the endodermal cells of the parietal yolk sac as an indicator of the biogenesis of basement membrane components

The biogenesis of basement-membrane components was investigated in the endodermal cells of the rat parietal yolk sac in 12.5-day pregnant rats; ³H-proline was injected into conceptuses. After various time intervals, the parietal yolk sac, including endodermal cells and the associated Reichert's membrane, was removed and processed for electron-microscopic radioautography. Silver grains were counted over endodermal cell organelles and Reichert's membrane. At 2 and 5 min after ³H-proline injection, endodermal cells showed heavy labeling in rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER). Silver grain density over the rER decreased from 2 to 20 min and then remained at a plateau. Grain density was moderate over the Golgi apparatus initially but rose to a peak at 2 hr and decreased by 4 hr and later. Grain density was negligible over secretory granules at 2 and 5 min and increased moderately with time to reach a maximum at 8 hr. Thus, radioautographic peaks occurred sequentially in rER, Golgi apparatus, and secretory granules. By 4 hr and later, silver grains accumulated over Reichert's membrane. These results indicated that endodermal cells incorporated labeled proline into substances which were processed from the rER through the Golgi apparatus, transported from there to the cell surface by secretory granules, and released for export to Reichert's membrane. To clarify the nature of the exported substances, the amount of label present in proline and hydroxyproline residues after ³H-proline injection was measured in Reichert's membrane with or without the associated endodermal cells. Within the cells, 61.8% of the labeled proteins were classified as “sedentary” and 38.2% as “exportable.” Of the label exported to Reichert's membrane, 66.3% consisted of type IV collagen and the rest of other basement-membrane components. The results obtained with this model suggest that basement-membrane proteins, including type IV collagen, are elaborated by the associated cells through the classical pathway: rER-Golgi apparatus-secretory granules.     

EPCAM–A novel molecular target for the treatment of pediatric and adult germ cell tumors

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are thought to develop from totipotent primordial germ cells. Although the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM) is expressed on embryonic stem cells as well as different tumor cells, it has not yet been extensively studied in GCTs. We analyzed EPCAM expression by quantitative RT‐PCR in 48 fresh‐frozen GCT specimens of different histology (10 mature teratoma, MT; 6 immature teratoma, IT; 7 dysgerminoma; 6 mixed malignant GCTs; 19 yolk sac tumor, YST) and in the GCT cell lines NCCIT, TE76.T, JAR and 2102Ep, and correlated its expression with AFP and hCG protein levels, histologic differentiation, and clinical follow‐up data. EPCAM protein was visualized by immunohistochemistry of selected corresponding paraffin embedded tumor tissues. EPCAM was expressed in malignant but not in benign GCTs irrespective of age, sex, site and clinical stage of tumor (P = 0.001). In primary teratomas, EPCAM expression increased with their grade of immaturity (mean 2^?ΔCt values: MT 0.23, IT 1.61, P = 0.007) and significantly correlated with serum AFP (P = 0.03) and hCG (P = 0.03) levels in malignant GCTs. Particularly high EPCAM levels were found in nonseminomatous GCTs such as YSTs (8.49) and choriocarcinoma (13.54). Immunohistochemical analysis verified gene expression data showing a distinct EPCAM staining in YST. Similarly in vitro, highest EPCAM expression was measured in GCT cell lines comprising yolk sac (2102Ep: 5.59) or choriocarcinoma (JAR: 10.65) components. This first comprehensive analysis of EPCAM in GCTs revealed high EPCAM expression in YSTs and choriocarcinomas. Thus, these nonseminomatous GCTs may be interesting targets for EPCAM immunotherapy, which has to be evaluated in further studies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Intraembryonic, but not yolk sac hematopoietic precursors, isolated before circulation, provide long-term multilineage reconstitution

The relative contribution of yolk sac and intraembryonic precursors to hematopoiesis has been a matter of long-standing controversy. As reconstitution activity has so far only been found in embryonic tissues after the onset of circulation, the origin of reconstituting cells could not be formally established. Here, we separated yolk sac and intraembryonic splanchnopleura prior to circulation and maintained the explants in organ culture before transfer. Precursors derived from the intraembryonic site generated multilineage hematopoietic progeny in adult mice for more than 6 months. Yolk sac cells only provided myeloid short-term reconstitution. The results reveal a differential hematopoietic capacity of precirculation embryonic tissues in vivo, and indicate that the only cells capable of adult long-term hematopoiesis are of intraembryonic origin.     

小鼠卵黄囊间充质干细胞的培养及鉴别

目的 研究小鼠卵黄囊间充质干细胞(YS-MSCs)的分离、培养和鉴定.方法 显微分离妊娠10d的小鼠胚胎卵黄囊,经0.1%的Ⅰ型胶原酶消化1h得到卵黄囊细胞,取贴壁细胞培养,并于接近汇合时进行传代培养,透射电镜下观察YS-MSCs的超微结构;流式细胞仪检测YS-MSCs表面标志;钙钴法测定YS-MSCs碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性;细胞组织化学检测YS-MSCs化学变化;地塞米松、胰岛素定向诱导YS-MSCs分化为脂肪细胞,油红0检测中性脂肪.结果 体外可获得YS-MSCs,细胞大多数呈梭形;透射电镜下YS-MSCs表面有微绒毛,胞浆中有丰富的线粒体、粗面内质网、高尔基复合体;核大,形态不规则;流式细胞术分析YS-MSCs免疫表型显示,原代和第1代YS-MSCs均为CD44、CD105阳性,CD34也有少量表达;细胞化学YS-MSCs PAS-过碘酸雪夫染色阳性,苏丹黑-B (S8)及碱性磷酸酶(AKP)染色阴性;YS-MSGs经成脂诱导后,胞浆中有脂滴形成,经油红0染色脂滴呈鲜红色.结论 小鼠YS-MSCs的生物学特性与成体间充质干细胞相似,且更为原始,提示其可作为组织工程的种子细胞来源.     

Prenatal hematopoiesis and blood characteristics of the cat

Summary The blood, yolk sac, liver, spleen, and bone marrow from 65 timed embryos of 22 cats were examined using light microscopic means in six different age categories. Nucleated primitive erythroblasts derived from the yolk sac are mature by the 19th day and represent 98% of the circulating blood cells, some of them found circulating even at birth. Definitive yolk sac erythropoiesis comprises a span of up to 30 days. On the 36th day, hematopoietic contribution drops to 15%. Neutrophils and the first thrombocytes are present on the 17th day, eosinophils and lymphocytes by the 25th day. Hepatic hematopoiesis most likely begins with definitive erythropoiesis on abouth the 20th day; granulopoiesis occurs in the liver on the 25th day. Blood forming tissue in the liver amounts to 28% which drops to 4% at birth. Splenic hematopoiesis begins on about the 36th day but contributes little to the blood. Bone marrow activity begins at mid-term and supplies about 50% of the blood cells on the 45th day. Hematocrit values increase from 22% on the 36th day to 47% at birth, thus exceeding the normal value of adult cats. The red blood cell number increases from 0.8 million/mm³ on the 25th day to 3.8 million on the 45th day and 6.3 million at birth. The total leukocyte count (880 on the 45th day and 6.480 at birth) must be calculated from the differential count of nucleated cells. Primitive erythroblasts represent the most common nucleated cells on the 25th day; on the 36th and 45th day, definitive erythroblasts predominate, but are outnumbered by leukocytes at birth. On the 36th and 45th day, lymphocytes are the predominating cell type in the white blood picture. The contribution of the hematopoietic organs to the feline prenatal blood formation is shown graphically.     

Presence of Activated B-1 Cells in Chronic Inflamed Gingival Tissue

B-1 cells are physically and functionally unique B cells that produce polyreactive natural antibody. This study examined the activation of B-1 cells in inflamed gingival tissue. Serum IgG antibodies to phosphorylcholine, E. coli LPS, DNA, and some commensal bacteria were examined in adult periodontitis patients and healthy subjects. In addition, the proportion of B-1a (CD20⁺ CD5⁺) cells and the amount of IL-6 and IL-10 in the inflamed gingival tissues were examined. The serum levels of IgG antibodies to phosphorylcholine, E. coli LPS, and commensal bacteria were significantly higher in the adult periodontitis patients than the healthy subjects. The proportion of B-1a cells and the amount of IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher in the inflamed gingival tissues than in peripheral blood from the healthy subjects. These results suggest the activation of B-1 cells in the inflamed gingival tissue of adult periodontitis patients, and that B-1 cells may serve as the first line of defense by producing polyreactive antibodies to phosphorylcholine, LPS, and commensal bacteria.     

A subpopulation of small pre-B cells in rabbit bone marrow expresses x light chains and exhibits allelic exclusion of b locus allotypes

The expression of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains by pre-B cells and B lymphocytes was examined by two-color immunofluorescence in heterozygous b⁵b⁹ rabbits. Allelic exclusion of b5 and b9 x light chain allotypes was observed for both surface immunoglobulin-negative pre-B cells and surface immunoglobulin-positive B lymphocytes. In newborn bone marrow, pre-B cells and immature B lymphocytes expressing b9 were as numerous as those expressing b5. In contrast, circulating B cells and bone marrow plasma cells expressing the b5 marker outnumber b9⁺ cells by 2 to 1 in adult b⁵b⁹ animals. Whereas most B lymphocytes expressed x light chain b allotypes, approximately 80% of the μ heavy chain-positive pre-B cells did not. The pre-B cells that expressed detectable light chains were relatively small lymphocytes. A model is presented which includes a “transitional” pre-B cell that expresses both p chains and x chains.     

Hemopoietic origin of certain decidual cell precursors in murine pregnancy

The possible hemopoietic origin of certain precursors of uterine decidual cells appearing during normal murine pregnancy was investigated in semiallogeneic hemopoietic chimeras with retained or regained fertility. Chimeras were produced by three different methods in two donor-host combinations: F₁ [BALB/c ♀ × C3H/HeJ ♂] cells introduced into the parental strain BALB/c ♀ hosts or F₁[CBA/J ♀ × C57BL/6 ♂] cells introduced into CBA/J ♀ hosts. Prenatal chimeras (PN) were made by reconstituting mouse fetuses (day 13–17) with 10⁶–10⁷ adult bone marrow or fetal liver cells through the yolk sac and they were allowed to be delivered naturally. Neonatal chimeras (NN) were made by injecting 1–2 × 10⁷ adult bone marrow cells into the anterior facial vein of neonatal mice (< 24 hr old). In both cases, experimental animals were raised to maturity. Ovary-transplanted chimeras (OT) were made by injecting 10⁷ bone marrow cells into lethally irradiated (9.5 Gy) young adult female mice, followed 6 weeks later with bilateral orthotopic transplants of syngeneic ovary grafts to restore fertility. All female chimeras produced by the three different methods were mated with syngeneic male partners to produce normal pregnancy. The extent of chimerism at the cellular level was determined in all cases by a radioautographic identification of the H-2 phenotype of splenic lymphocytes and decidual cells and macrophages in the collagenase-dispersed decidua at day 11–16 of normal pregnancy, following a sandwich labelling with monospecific anti-H-2 antibodies and ¹²⁵I– protein A. Morphological discrimination of typical decidual cells from macrophages in the collagenase-dispersed decidua was carried out on the basis of several distinctive markers: presence of surface Dec-1 and Thy-1 and absence of surface F4/80 or latex phagocytosis for decidual cells, in contrast to macrophages which were phagocytic and expressed F4/80 but not Dec-1 or Thy-1. While the degree of hemopoietic chimerism (judged by the incidence of donor-derived lymphocytes in the spleen) varied from animal to animal, in all three groups (PN, NN, and OT) comprising a total of 26 chimeras, the percentage of typical decidual cells expressing donor H-2 phenotype showed an excellent correlation with that for small lymphocytes in the spleen. These results reveal that at least a sub-population of typical decidual cells of the pregnant uterus has a hemopoietic genealogy. A possible familial relationship of these cells to granulated metrial gland cells remains unclear.