sHLA-G involved in the apoptosis of decidual natural killer cells following Toxoplasma gondii infection

Inflammation. 2014 Oct;37(5):1718-27. doi: 10.1007/s10753-014-9900-7.

Abstract

This study aims to assess whether soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) is involved in apoptosis of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells following Toxoplasma gondii infection. dNK cells or NK-92 cells were infected with T. gondii and co-cultured with trophoblast cells or BeWo cells. Infected co-cultured cells were treated without or with sHLA-G neutralizing antibody. Uninfected co-cultured cells were used as controls. Apoptosis of dNK cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscope. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to determine caspase 3 and caspase 8 expression. sHLA-G in supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In infection groups, sHLA-G was increased, while dNK apoptosis proteins caspase 3 and caspase 8 were up-regulated, but significantly decreased in the presence of sHLA-G neutralizing antibody compared to controls. Under the situation of T. gondii-infected dNK cells co-cultured with trophoblast cells, the up-regulation of sHLA-G could induce dNK cells apoptosis which ultimately may contribute to the abnormal pregnancy outcomes with T. gondii infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Decidua / metabolism*
  • Decidua / microbiology
  • Female
  • HLA-G Antigens / biosynthesis*
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / microbiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / metabolism*
  • Toxoplasmosis / metabolism*

Substances

  • HLA-G Antigens