Effect on expression of RT1-A and RT1-DM molecules of treatment with interferon-gamma at the maternal--fetal interface of pregnant rats.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies suggest a role for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the pregnancy process.


METHODS
The expression of non-classical class II major histocompatibility complex (RT1-DM) antigens and classical class I major histocompatibility complex (RT1-A) antigens induced by IFN-gamma was examined by reverse transcription-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
IFN-gamma treatment increased expression of RT1-DM and RT1-A during early pregnancy and decreased them during mid pregnancy at the maternal-fetal interface. In late pregnancy, expression of RT1-A decreased in placenta and increased in uterus, and RT1-DM increased in both placenta and uterus with IFN-gamma treatment compared with untreated controls. Immunohistochemical studies suggested that in early pregnancy, RT1-DM protein mainly localized to uterine luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium, and RT1-A mainly localized to decidual blood vessels and decidua basalis. During mid and late pregnancy, RT1-A mainly localized in decidual blood vessels and spongiotrophoblast cells of the junction zone. RT1-DM mainly localized in blood vessels and the labyrinthine zone during mid and late gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
RT1-A and RT1-DM can both be expressed at the maternal-fetal interface during normal pregnancy. Their localizaion changed according to the period of pregnancy. IFN-gamma can modulate the expression of these two molecules during the whole pregnancy.
Sun
Quan-Hong
QH
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.
Peng
Jing-Pian
JP
Xia
Hong-Fei
HF
Yang
Ying
Y
Liu
Mei-Ling
ML
D000818:Animals; D003656:Decidua / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C038353:histocompatibility antigens RT, rat; D007371:Interferon-gamma