Effect of progesterone on HLA-E gene expression in JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cell line.
OBJECTIVE
Among class Ib human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, HLA-E is known to be a major ligand of CD94/NKG2 receptor on natural killer (NK) cells, and to play a pivotal role in recognition of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) by maternal immune cells. However, it is scarcely known how HLA-E expression is regulated in EVTs.


METHODS
In this study, we investigated whether progesterone, an essential hormone in maintaining pregnancy, regulated HLA-E expression in EVT-like cell line, JEG-3. HLA-E mRNA amount in cultured JEG-3 cells was assessed by real-time PCR and cell-surface HLA-E protein was analyzed by flowcytometry.


RESULTS
Real-time PCR showed 3.5-fold increase 1 hour after the addition of 1000 ng/ml progesterone. This response was diminished by the addition of RU486, an antagonist for progesterone receptor. Flowcytometry indicated that 1000 ng/ml progesterone slightly enhanced HLA-E expression on the surface of JEG-3.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that progesterone up-regulates HLA-E expression in JEG-3 cells through the pathway mediated by progesterone receptor. Our findings might give a new insight into immunomodulatory function of progesterone at fetomaternal interface.
Huang
Zhongying
Z
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Hyodo
Hironobu
H
Fujii
Tomoyuki
T
Nagamatsu
Takeshi
T
Matsumoto
Junko
J
Kawana
Kei
K
Yamashita
Takahiro
T
Yasugi
Toshiharu
T
Kozuma
Shiro
S
Taketani
Yuji
Y
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002822:Choriocarcinoma; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens
D006680:HLA Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D015735:Mifepristone; D011374:Progesterone; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens