OVINE TROPHOBLAST INTERFERON ENHANCES MHC CLASS-I EXPRESSION BY SHEEPENDOMETRIAL CELLS

Type I interferons have a variety of important immunological functions , including effects on expression of class I molecules of the major hi stocompatibility complex (MHC). Interferon-tau (IFN-tau) is an importa nt anti-luteolytic factor produced by the trophoblast of ruminants. Ov ine endometrial cells were cultured with recombinant ovine IFN-tau and stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for ovine MHC class I mol ecules. The expression of MHC class I was then determined by immunocyt ochemical or immunofluorescent staining using microscopy or flow cytom etry. IFN-tau was found to enhance the expression of MHC class I molec ules on the endometrial cells, as did recombinant IFN-alpha. No signif icant effects on MHC class II expression were observed. These findings may have important implications for cellular interactions associated with immunological aspects of pregnancy. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ire land Ltd. All rights reserved.