INHIBITION OF INDUCED LYMPHOCYTE-PROLIFERATION BY LIPID AND PROTEIN-COMPONENTS OF THE SYNCYTIOTROPHOBLAST PLASMA-MEMBRANE

PROBLEM: The aim of this work was to define the respective responsibil ities of the lipid and protein components of syncytiotrophoblast plasm a membranes on the inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation induced in v itro. METHOD: A fractionation method using octyl-beta-D-glucopyranosid e enabled lipoprotein, lipid, and protein fractions to be isolated fro m the membrane. RESULTS: The lipid fraction was shown nonspecifically to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation, to a lower extent compared with t he native membrane. Alternatively, the protein fraction used as a prot eoliposome contained the totality of the cytostatic effect of the nati ve fraction. CONCLUSION: These results are discussed generally in the context of the immunoregulatory role of membrane lipids and proteins a nd in relation to the local properties of syncytiotrophoblast plasma m embrane components in fetal graft tolerance.