IMMUNOGENETIC AND ONCOGENIC PROPERTIES OF RAT TROPHOBLAST CELL-LINES

PROBLEM: The nature of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen expression on rat placentas, trophoblast cell lines, and tumors derive d from trophoblast cells was explored. METHOD OF STUDY: Cytohistochemi cal and flow cytometric analysis and molecular techniques. RESULTS: MH C antigen expression and genomic imprinting on the placenta and on tro phoblast cells varies with the time of gestation and with the type of MHC antigen. CONCLUSIONS: There is no correlation in trophoblast cells between class I expression and cell ploidy, on the one hand, and mali gnant potential, on the other hand. Genomic imprinting of class I anti gens in the rat placenta is a quantitative phenomenon.