An alternatively spliced form of HLA-G mRNA in human trophoblasts and evidence for the presence of HLA-G transcript in adult lymphocytes.
The HLA-G monomorphic, nonclassical class I gene encodes the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule, which is the only MHC antigen expressed on cytotrophoblast cells of placenta. In this work, we have investigated expression of the HLA-G gene in fetal tissues and adult peripheral blood cells by using a sensitive hot-start reverse transcriptase PCR technique. PCR amplification with HLA-G primers specific for exon 3 has enabled us to demonstrate an alternatively spliced form of HLA-G mRNA present in fetal first trimester trophoblasts and lacking exon 4 (HLA-G.3-5). This low abundance transcript (approximately 1:200) in comparison to full-length mRNA may encode the protein that excludes the alpha 3 domain and by conformational changes may present a different ability to bind to peptides. Moreover, expression of the HLA-G transcript was found in adult peripheral lymphocytes and equally in B- and T-cell populations. These results are discussed in the context of the fetal-maternal relationship presented by HLA-G gene products.
Kirszenbaum
M
M
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Hôpital Saint-Louis Centre Hayem, Paris, France.
Moreau
P
P
Gluckman
E
E
Dausset
J
J
Carosella
E
E
D000328:Adult; D017398:Alternative Splicing; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D015870:Gene Expression; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D005865:Gestational Age; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000276:immunology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I