HLA-G in murine peripheral blood after interruption of pregnancy

• Published in: Cell biology international Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 402 - 407
• Main Authors: Dendrinos, S., Kalabalikis, G., Makrakis, E., Papasteriades, C., Creatsas, G., Katsorchis, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2005; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Antiprogesterone agent; Female; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - blood; HLA Antigens - blood; HLA-G; HLA-G Antigens; Immunolocalization; Lymphocytes - cytology; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Mifepristone; Mifepristone - pharmacology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal - blood; Pregnancy, Animal - drug effects; Pregnancy, Animal - immunology; Time Factors; W6/32; Immunolocalization; TBS; Antiprogesterone agent; OF; LSM; Mifepristone; TRI; PBL; W6/32; HLA-G; mAb
• ISSN: 1065-6995; 1095-8355
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cellbi.2004.12.005

HLA-G antigens are highly expressed in maternal peripheral blood during early pregnancy in transgenic mice. In this study, we determined the levels of HLA-G in white blood cells during early pregnancy and after interruption of pregnancy in triple transgenic mice (H-2K b/HLA-G, hβ2m, and hCD2/hCD8-TRI). The pregnancies were interrupted on day 7 using the anti-progesterone agent mifepristone (RU486). Blood samples of 20 pregnant TRI mice were taken and the HLA-G levels were determined on days 2, 4 and 6 of pregnancy and on days 9, 11 and 13 after fertilization. The monoclonal antibody W6/32, specific for monomorphic determinant HLA class I molecules, was used in combination with an immunolocalization method using a photonic microscope. The HLA-G levels increased gradually on days 2, 4 and 6 of pregnancy, and the interruption of pregnancy on day 7 was followed by a decrease of HLA-G levels. The data indicate that pregnancy is characterized by the early presence of HLA-G in maternal peripheral blood in TRI transgenic mice and suggest that HLA-G may serve as a useful indicator for pregnancy maintenance and well-being.