Ovine trophoblast interferon enhances MHC class I expression by sheep endometrial cells.
Type I interferons have a variety of important immunological functions, including effects on expression of class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Interferon-tau (IFN-tau) is an important anti-luteolytic factor produced by the trophoblast of ruminants. Ovine endometrial cells were cultured with recombinant ovine IFN-tau and stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for ovine MHC class I molecules. The expression of MHC class I was then determined by immunocytochemical or immunofluorescent staining using microscopy or flow cytometry. IFN-tau was found to enhance the expression of MHC class I molecules on the endometrial cells, as did recombinant IFN-alpha. No significant effects on MHC class II expression were observed. These findings may have important implications for cellular interactions associated with immunological aspects of pregnancy.
Todd
I
I
Division of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, UK. ian.todd@nottingham.ac.uk
McElveen
J E
JE
Lamming
G E
GE
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012756:Sheep
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C020947:interferon tau