Antigen-specific T cell immune response detected by skewed T cell receptor usage in normal placenta and complete molar pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the antigenicity of normal placenta and complete molar trophoblastic tissue.


METHODS
T cell receptor (TCR) variable beta chain (VBC) gene expression was analyzed utilizing fresh frozen tissues. Real-time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) were performed on cDNA samples from 10 normal buffy coats (BC), 7 normal placentas (NP) and 14 complete molar pregnancies (CM) using a TCR beta chain and 25 variable TCR beta chain primers. Relative expressions were calculated for each individual gene.


RESULTS
Significant changes were noted in most of the gene expressions in NP and CM as compared to the buffy coat samples. The relative expression of most genes was significantly decreased in NP and CM, but VBC gene number 4 was increased in both NP and CM; however, a significant difference was noted only between BC and CM (p = 0.023). Comparing NP to CM, 5 other VBC gene expressions were decreased significantly in the CM tissues (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In normal placenta and CM pregnancies, T cells appear to express certain TCR VBC genes in a different manner than in BC. These genes and the VBC gene profile difference found between NP and CM may play an important role in the immunobiology of CM pregnancy.
Nagymanyoki
Zoltan
Z
Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, New England Trophoblastic Disease Center, Donald P. Goldstein, M.D., Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Butler
Marcus O
MO
Callahan
Michael J
MJ
Parast
Mana M
MM
Fulop
Vilmos
V
Mok
Samuel C
SC
Berkowitz
Ross S
RS
D000941:Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta