Valutazione del fenotipo cellulare delle sottopopolazioni linfocitarie tessutali dell'endometrio in cagne ovarioisterectomizzate: rapporto con i linfociti circolanti nel sangue periferico pre e post intervento

The present study evaluated the percentage changes of lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of bitches undergoing elective or during pthology ovariohysterectomy surgery (pyometra in these cases) and the presence and localization of the same cellular subpopulations in the uterine environment by immunohistochemical examination. Initially, the general framework of development and maturation of the lymphocyte subpopulations considered is described, followed by a review of the literature regarding the percentage changes of the same subpopulations in both veterinary and human medicine. Next, the anatomy of the reproductive system of the bitch and the estrous cycle are briefly described. In addition, the principles of flow cytometry are also exposed. The blood profile of 25 bitches of different breeds, sizes and ages was investigated. The lymphocyte subpopulations examined were B lymphocytes with marker CD20 and CD21, T lymphocytes with markers CD3, CD4, CD8, TCRγδ, and regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs). The same cell populations were considered on the excised uteri by immunohistochemistry. Cytofluorometric analyses were performed in three stages: in the first stage, all subjects were considered without distinction; in the second stage, subjects were divided into healthy and with pathology (19 and 6 subjects, respectively); and in the third stage, subjects were divided according to age (5 young, 15 adult, and 5 elderly subjects). In the first analysis, statistically significant values were obtained at %lymphocyte/PBMC, CD3+, CD8+, and CD21+; in the second stage of analysis, statistically significant values were obtained at %lymphocyte/PBMC and CD4+; in the third stage, statistically significant values were at %lymphocyte/PBMC, CD8+, and CD21+. For what concerns immunohistochemical examination, healthy uteri were compared with pathological uteri (undergoing pyometra in these cases), obtaining statistically significant values at the CD3+, CD8+ and CD20+ populations. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis and then compared with the results obtained by other authors.