title: Antigenic heterogeneity of human cytotrophoblast and evidence for the transient expression of MHC class I antigens distinct from HLA-G.
abstract: Expression of MHC class I antigens on trophoblast populations in first trimester human chorionic villous tissue was assessed by immunohistology. Antibodies used were W6/32 which recognizes a non-polymorphic framework determinant of HLA- A, -B, -C, MHM5 specific for HLA-B, C and 4E and B23.1 which are specific for HLA-B. Syncytiotrophoblast and villous cytotrophoblast were negative with all the anti (HLA class I) antibodies tested. Interstitial trophoblast cells within the maternal decidua were identified with a new antibody, NDOG5, which is specific for extravillous cytotrophoblast. Double labelling showed that they bind W6/32 but not 4E, MHM5 or B23.1; consistent with the expression of the monomorphic HLA-G. In contrast the cytotrophoblast cells of the cell islands and cytotrophoblast shell, which also express the NDOG5 antigen, were positive with W6/32, 4E, MHM5 and B23.1. Cell column cytotrophoblast cells were negative with all four MHC class I antibodies. These results suggest that differentiation of cytotrophoblast from noninvasive to invasive forms is associated with transient expression of class I antigens other than HLA-G on cytotrophoblast shell and cell island cytotrophoblast.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Shorter
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Starkey
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Ferry
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Clover
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Redman
mesh_terms: D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I