title: A homodimeric complex of HLA-G on normal trophoblast cells modulates antigen-presenting cells via LILRB1.
abstract: In healthy individuals, the non-classical MHC molecule HLA-G is only expressed on fetal trophoblast cells that invade the decidua during placentation. We show that a significant proportion of HLA-G at the surface of normal human trophoblast cells is present as a disulphide-linked homodimer of the conventional beta(2)m-associated HLA-I complex. HLA-G is a ligand for leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILR), which bind much more efficiently to dimeric HLA-G than to conventional HLA-I molecules. We find that a LILRB1-Fc fusion protein preferentially binds the dimeric form of HLA-G on trophoblast cells. We detect LILRB1 expression on decidual myelomonocytic cells; therefore, trophoblast HLA-G may modulate the function of these cells. Co-culture with HLA-G(+) cells does not inhibit monocyte-derived dendritic cell up-regulation of HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules on maturation, but did increase production of IL-6 and IL-10. Furthermore, proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes was inhibited by HLA-G binding to LILRB1/2 on responding antigen-presenting cells (APC). As HLA-G is the only HLA-I molecule that forms beta(2)m-associated dimers with increased avidity for LILRB1, this interaction could represent a placental-specific signal to decidual APC. We suggest that the placenta is modulating maternal immune responses locally in the uterus through HLA-G, a trophoblast-specific, monomorphic signal present in almost every pregnancy. See accompanying commentary: (http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200737515).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Apps
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sharkey
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moffett
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D000075362:Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C105299:LILRB1 protein, human; D000075362:Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic