[Lymphoreticular cells in the human endometrial stroma].

The endometrium of 12 patients with a normal spontaneous uterine cycle was examined immunohistochemically with the indirect PAP-method using various monoclonal antibodies. Lymphoreticular cells, which are responsible for non-specific defense mechanisms and for the cell-mediated immune reactions were identified. In all phases of the normal cycle, high numbers of cells belonging to the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) and T-lymphocytes were detected in the endometrial stroma. The overwhelming majority of T-lymphocytes were found to be of the suppressor/cytotoxic cell type, while helper/inducer cells were seen only in comparably low numbers. B-lymphocytes were virtually absent from the endometrial stroma.