Photomicrographs of histological sections of mouse placenta on gd18.5.

Abstract

Sections from wild type (A-E) and Hltf null (F-J) placentae show widespread DBA-lectin reactivity for uNK cells at 10 X magnification (A, F). Comparisons at 40 X magnification of DBA-lectin reactivity for uNK cells (B, G) and amylase-resistant PAS positive uNK cells (C, H) show abundant cytoplasmic granules contained within the cellular membranes. Immunolabeling (20 x magnification) for perforin is negligible in uNK cells from wild type (D; blue arrows) compared with Hltf null (I). Immunolabeling (20 x magnification) for Hltf shows both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining throughout the wild type (E) placenta compared to the complete absence of Hltf protein in the null placenta (J). All insets are negative (minus primary antibody) controls.</p