title: HLA-G expression is up-regulated by progesterone in mesenchymal stem cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Maternal immune response to fetal tissues is modified in such way that it favors the development of pregnancy. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G, progesterone and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been identified as potent immunomodulatory agents in different experimental systems and the interactions between these three factors are studies in this paper.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human MSCs are isolated from human adipose tissue, bone marrow and decidua are cultured in the presence of progesterone and the expression of HLA-G is followed-up at protein and mRNA levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MSCs cultured in the presence of progesterone express increased levels of both cell surface and cytoplasmic HLA-G when compared with the control MSCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Progesterone up-regulates the expression by MSCs of HLA-G which is a major player in maintenance of the immune balance between the mother and the fetus. MSCs are newly detected targets of progesterone with well documented immunomodulatory activity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital St.I.Rilski, Medical University Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Ekaterina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ivanova-Todorova
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mourdjeva
authors.forename: Dobroslav
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kyurkchiev
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bochev
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stoyanova
authors.forename: Rumen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dimitrov
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Timeva
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yunakova
authors.forename: Dimitar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bukarev
authors.forename: Atanas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shterev
authors.forename: Petar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tivchev
authors.forename: Stanimir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kyurkchiev
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003656:Decidua / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011372:Progestins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D011372:Progestins; D011374:Progesterone