Trophoblasts express Fas ligand : a proposed mechanism for immune privilege in placenta and maternal invasion

Cross-linking of Fas (CD95, APO-1) and Fas ligand (FasL; CD95L) induces apoptosis of Fas-bearing cells. Recent evidence suggests that FasL. expression plays an important role in maintenance of immune privilege in murine testis and eye and in tumour escape from immune rejection in colon cancer, melan...

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Published in:Molecular human reproduction 1997-08, Vol.3 (8), p.655-662
Main Authors: UCKAN, D, STEELE, A, CHERRY, WANG, B.-Y, CHAMIZO, W, KOUTSONIKOLIS, A, GILBERT-BARNESS, E, GOOD, R. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Apoptosis
Biological and medical sciences
Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology
Fas Ligand Protein
fas Receptor - physiology
Female
Fetal membranes
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects. Development. Fetal membranes
Humans
Membrane Glycoproteins - biosynthesis
Placenta - cytology
Placenta - immunology
Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods
Pregnancy
RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis
Transcription, Genetic
Trophoblasts - cytology
Trophoblasts - immunology
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Summary:Cross-linking of Fas (CD95, APO-1) and Fas ligand (FasL; CD95L) induces apoptosis of Fas-bearing cells. Recent evidence suggests that FasL. expression plays an important role in maintenance of immune privilege in murine testis and eye and in tumour escape from immune rejection in colon cancer, melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Bcl-2 is a membrane protein that suppresses apoptosis in response to a variety of stimuli. In this paper we describe abundant expression of FasL protein and mRNA transcripts within the immune privileged environment of the placenta by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription in-situ polymerase chain reaction methods. The syncytiotrophoblast layer, the main site of feto-maternal interface, and extravillous trophoblasts, demonstrated consistent immunoreactivity for FasL in term placentae. Co-occurrence of Fas and Bcl-2 were detected with a similar pattern of distribution with FasL. The TUNEL method revealed evidence of apoptosis in the placental tissues. We speculate that abundant presence of FasL in the trophoblast contributes to immune privilege in this unique environment, perhaps by fostering apoptosis of activated Fas-expressing lymphocytes of maternal origin. An apoptotic process mediated by FasL may also play a role in placental invasion during implantation and underscores similarities between the trophoblast and neoplastic cells.
ISSN:1360-9947
1460-2407
1460-2407
DOI:10.1093/molehr/3.8.655