title: Unusually large interferon-alpha-like mRNAs and high expression of interleukin-6 in human fetal annexes.
abstract: Endogenous interferons (IFNs) with antiviral activity have been detected in human fetal annexes, without any apparent induction. Some are of unusually high molecular weight and antigenic properties (Duc-Goiran P., Robert-Galliot, B., Lopez, J., and Chany, C. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 5010-5014). We study here the expression of IFN genes from the three antigenically distinct groups, in placental tissues taken during third-trimester pregnancies. We show by Northern blot analysis with RNA probes that IFN-alpha-like transcripts correlate with the presence of functionally active protein, purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. We fractionate on a formamide sucrose gradient, identify, and characterize a large 4.3-kb IFN-alpha-like transcript, which may be specifically expressed during fetal development. Despite the absence of IFN-beta transcript, a protein with an antiviral activity which was neutralized with a polyclonal anti-IFN-beta serum was detected in the placenta and could be related to a beta-like IFN. Besides IFNs, various growth factors and cytokines can be found in the placenta. We report here the presence of interleukin-6 expressed at high levels in fetal annexes. The coexpression of Interleukin-6 and endogenous IFNs suggests that they play an important role during development.
authors: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U43, Hôpital St. Vincent de Paul, Paris, France.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Duc-Goiran
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Chany
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Doly
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002823:Chorion / Q000276:immunology*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011070:Poly I-C