Transcription of HLA-G transgenes commences shortly after implantation during embryonic development in mice.
We studied the pattern of transcription of a human HLA-G transgene in mice using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Transcription of the HLA-G transgene commenced in cells derived from embryos as soon as 48 hr after implantation of embryos in the uterine wall and continued for at least a further 48 hr during embryonic development. HLA-G transcripts were also present in RNA extracted from thymus, spleen and liver of adult HLA-G transgenic mice, although transcripts were not detected in RNA from any other tissues except testes of male transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that the restricted pattern of HLA-G transcription in embryo-derived trophoblast cells during the first trimester of human pregnancy is reproducible in mice. This suggests that transcription factors required for a highly regulated pattern of gene expression during embryonic development are present in murine trophoblast cells and provide a means to investigate the factors and study the consequences of HLA-G expression during development of the embryo.
Horuzsko
A
A
Division of Molecular Immunology, National Institute for Medical Research, London.
Tomlinson
P D
PD
Strachan
T
T
Mellor
A L
AL
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*
D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D012313:RNA