The microstructure in the placenta is influenced by the functional diversity of HLA-G allelic variants

AbstractThe main expression sites of HLA-G are human extravillous trophoblast cells. The interaction of HLA-G with uterine NK cells promotes their maturation and differentiation into decidual NK (dNK) cells. dNK cells secrete chemokines, cytokines, and proangiogenic factors in favor of a vascular remodeling and an immune suppressive microenvironment of the decidua. HLA-G is the most polymorphic member of the oligomorphic non-classical HLA molecule family; yet, the impact of polymorphic differences is not comprehensively understood. sHLA-G levels in embryo culture medium correlate with successful pregnancy; however, it remains questionable if HLA-G allelic diversity impacts on the outcome of dNK cell development. We utilized syntheticsHLA-G*01:01,01:03, and01:04 molecules and transducedK652/mHLA-G*01:01,01:03, and01:04 cells to study the biological interaction between HLA-G alleles and primary NK cells of human term placenta. Despite its low frequency,HLA-G*01:04 and not the most prevalent alleleHLA-G*01:01 appear to be strong catalysts of dNK cell proliferation. Concluding, this study illustrates novel insights into the impact and binding efficiency of the three most common variants of HLA-G on primary placental NK cells.

Source: Immunogenetics - June 26, 2019 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research