title: Expression of HLA-E molecules in the placental tissue of women infected with HIV-1 and uninfected women.
abstract: Expression of HLA-E molecule in the placental extravillous trophoblast is associated with immune system cell inhibition, resulting in immune tolerance to fetus during pregnancy. HIV-1 can infect trophoblast cells and modify the expression of HLA-E, which may inhibit the cytotoxic activity of the immune system.
  
  
  
  The aim of this study was to evaluate HLA-E expression in third trimester placental tissue of women infected with HIV-1 and uninfected women.
  
  
  
  We performed an immunohistochemistry assay to evaluate HLA-E staining in the placental tissue of 99 HIV-1 infected and 85 uninfected women. A pathologist analyzed and classified the HLA-E expression in the placental cells.
  
  
  
  Irrespective of the HIV status, HLA-E staining was observed in the extravillous trophoblast cells, endothelial cells and Hofbauer cells, but not in the syncytiotrophoblast. HLA-E staining showed no significant difference between the placental tissue of women infected with HIV-1 and uninfected women (P = 0.76). Considering HIV-1 infected women, HLA-E staining was not influenced by HIV-1 viral load (P = 0.48), CD4+T-cell count (P = 0.10) and antiretroviral therapy used during pregnancy (P = 0.54).
  
  
  
  Despite the presence of HIV-1 infection, the expression of HLA-E molecules in the placental tissue was not modified when the infection was under antiretroviral therapy control.
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, General and Specialized Nursing Department, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, CEP 14040-902, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, General and Specialized Nursing Department, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, CEP 14040-902, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martelli-Palomino
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, Pathology Department, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diego Agra de
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Rodovia Araraquara, Jaú Km 1, Campos Ville, Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Társia Giabardo Alves
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, Pathology Department, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gyl Eanes Barros
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, Pathology Department, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chahud
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, Medical Clinical Department, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Antônio
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Donadi
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, General and Specialized Nursing Department, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, CEP 14040-902, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: anapaula@eerp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Ana Paula Morais
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens
keywords: Expression; HIV-1; HLA-E; Placenta