title: Interleukin-1 beta, human leukocyte antigen HLA-DR alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta expression in endometrium, placenta, and placental membranes.
abstract: Maternal immune recognition of the fetal semiallograft appears to be necessary and beneficial for fetal survival and growth. Interleukin-1 beta and human leukocyte antigen HLA-DR are important for foreign antigen recognition by the immune system, whereas transforming growth factor-beta inhibits many of the immunostimulatory properties of interleukin-1 beta. In this study we found that first-trimester decidua and term placental membranes expressed significantly higher levels of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-1 beta messenger ribonucleic acid, and human leukocyte antigen HLA-DR alpha messenger ribonucleic acid expression. All tissues found at the maternal-fetal interface, including first-trimester decidua, placenta, and placental membranes, contained transforming growth factor-beta and expressed transforming growth factor-beta 1 messenger ribonucleic acid. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that the increase in decidual interleukin-1 beta and human leukocyte antigen HLA-DR alpha during pregnancy may be involved in maternal recognition of the fetal semiallograft and that transforming growth factor-beta production may regulate the local maternal immune response and prevent rejection of the fetus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kauma
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Strom
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eierman
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D015152:Blotting, Northern; D003656:Decidua / Q000276:immunology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008566:Membranes / Q000276:immunology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000276:immunology; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta