IL-10 selectively induces HLA-G expression in human trophoblasts and monocytes

HLA-G plays an essential role in feto-maternal tolerance by inhibiting lysis by maternal NK cells. The factors that allow tissue-specific activation of HLA-G gene expression in trophoblasts remain to be characterized. We investigated the potential effect of IL-10, a cytokine which is secreted in pla...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International immunology 1999-05, Vol.11 (5), p.803-811
Main Authors: Moreau, Philippe, Adrian-Cabestre, Francisco, Menier, Catherine, Guiard, Virginie, Gourand, Luc, Dausset, Jean, Carosella, Edgardo D., Paul, Pascale
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Down-Regulation
Female
Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects
Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - genetics
HLA Antigens - genetics
HLA-G Antigens
HLA-G modulation
Humans
IL-10
Interleukin-10 - pharmacology
monocytes
Monocytes - drug effects
Monocytes - metabolism
PE phycoerythrin
Pregnancy
TNF tumor necrosis factor
trophoblasts
Trophoblasts - drug effects
Trophoblasts - metabolism
UT untranslated
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Summary:HLA-G plays an essential role in feto-maternal tolerance by inhibiting lysis by maternal NK cells. The factors that allow tissue-specific activation of HLA-G gene expression in trophoblasts remain to be characterized. We investigated the potential effect of IL-10, a cytokine which is secreted in placenta, on HLA-G gene transcription in trophoblasts. Using Northern blot, RNase protection assay and RT-PCR analysis, we demonstrated that IL-10 enhances steady-state levels of HLA-G transcription in cultured trophoblast cells. We further tested the effect of IL-10 on HLA-G gene transcription and protein expression in peripheral blood monocytes, showing that IL-10 can up-regulate HLA-G cell surface expression in this cell type. This effect of IL-10 is selective, since classical MHC class I products and MHC class II are down-regulated in monocytes following IL-10 treatment. Induction of HLA-G expression by IL-10 on monocytes may thus play a role in down-regulation of the immune response. We propose that IL-10 secretion by trophoblasts during pregnancy may also influence the HLA class I expression pattern at the feto-maternal barrier, thus protecting the fetus from rejection. This should be taken into consideration in the design of treatment for pathologies of pregnancy.
ISSN:0953-8178
1460-2377
DOI:10.1093/intimm/11.5.803