Interferons enhance HLA-G mRNA and protein in transfected mouse fibroblasts.
The HLA class Ib gene, HLA-G, has a 16-bp deletion in its Enhancer A/interferon response element (IRE). We used a model system consisting of mouse fibroblasts transfected with 6.0 kb of HLA-G DNA, the S14/8 cells, to test the postulate that this deletion prevents interferons (IFNs) from enhancing transcription. Northern blot hybridization experiments showed that after 48 h of treatment with IFN-alpha, IFN-beta or IFN-gamma, steady-state levels of HLA-G mRNA in the S14/8 cell line were doubled. Proteins were also increased by IFNs as demonstrated in flow cytometry and immunocytochemical experiments that used monoclonal antibodies to all HLA class I antigens (W6/32), HLA-G heavy chains (87G) and light chains (beta2m). Thus, interferons enhance expression of HLA-G and would be expected to improve host defense at the maternal-fetal interface by increasing the ability of maternal immune cells to recognize and destroy infected HLA-G+ cells.
Chu
W
W
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7400, USA.
Yang
Y
Y
Geraghty
D E
DE
Hunt
J S
JS
D000818:Animals; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016899:Interferon-beta; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D007372:Interferons