HLA-G in murine peripheral blood after interruption of pregnancy.
HLA-G antigens are highly expressed in maternal peripheral blood during early pregnancy in transgenic mice. In this study, we determined the levels of HLA-G in white blood cells during early pregnancy and after interruption of pregnancy in triple transgenic mice (H-2K(b)/HLA-G, hbeta2m, and hCD2/hCD8-TRI). The pregnancies were interrupted on day 7 using the anti-progesterone agent mifepristone (RU486). Blood samples of 20 pregnant TRI mice were taken and the HLA-G levels were determined on days 2, 4 and 6 of pregnancy and on days 9, 11 and 13 after fertilization. The monoclonal antibody W6/32, specific for monomorphic determinant HLA class I molecules, was used in combination with an immunolocalization method using a photonic microscope. The HLA-G levels increased gradually on days 2, 4 and 6 of pregnancy, and the interruption of pregnancy on day 7 was followed by a decrease of HLA-G levels. The data indicate that pregnancy is characterized by the early presence of HLA-G in maternal peripheral blood in TRI transgenic mice and suggest that HLA-G may serve as a useful indicator for pregnancy maintenance and well-being.
Dendrinos
S
S
Department of Biology, Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. emakrakis@hotmail.com
Kalabalikis
G
G
Makrakis
E
E
Papasteriades
C
C
Creatsas
G
G
Katsorchis
T
T
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D015735:Mifepristone