Trophoblast Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Expression Is Associated with Immune-Mediated Rejection of Bovine Fetuses Produced by Cloning. Issue 2 (1st August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rutigliano, Heloisa M.; Thomas, Aaron J.; Wilhelm, Amanda; Sessions, Benjamin R.; Hicks, Brady A.; Schlafer, Donald H.; White, Kenneth L.; Davies, Christopher J.
• Is Part Of: Biology of reproduction. Volume 95:Issue 2(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-08-01
• Subjects: cattle -- immunohistochemistry -- miscarriage -- pregnancy -- somatic cell nuclear transfer; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Biology; Reproduction; Reproduction; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 571.805
• DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.136523
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3363

Abstract

Abstract: Trophoblast cells from bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) conceptuses express major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) proteins early in gestation, and this may be one cause of the significant first-trimester embryonic mortality observed in these pregnancies. MHC-I homozygous-compatible (n = 9), homozygous-incompatible (n = 8), and heterozygous-incompatible (n = 5) SCNT pregnancies were established. The control group consisted of eight pregnancies produced by artificial insemination. Uterine and placental samples were collected on Day 35 ± 1 of pregnancy, and expression of MHC-I, leukocyte markers, and cytokines were examined by immunohistochemistry. Trophoblast cells from all SCNT pregnancies expressed MHC-I, while trophoblast cells from age-matched control pregnancies were negative for MHC-I expression. Expression of MHC-I antigens by trophoblast cells from SCNT pregnancies was associated with lymphocytic infiltration in the endometrium. Furthermore, MHC-I-incompatible conceptuses, particularly the heterozygous-incompatible ones, induced a more pronounced lymphocytic infiltration than MHC-I-compatible conceptuses. Cells expressing cluster of differentiation (CD) 3, gamma/deltaTCR, and MHC-II were increased in the endometrium of SCNT pregnancies compared to the control group. CD4 + lymphocytes were increased in MHC-I-incompatible pregnancies compared to MHC-I-compatible and control pregnancies. CD8 +, FOXP3 +, and natural killer cells were increased in MHC-I heterozygous-incompatible SCNT pregnancies compared to homozygous SCNT and control pregnancies.