CLASS-1 MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX ANTIGENS ON HUMAN EXTRA-VILLOUS TROPHOBLAST

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (3) , 457-468
Abstract
Using immunohistological techniques, class 1 products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) were demonstrated on various forms of human extra-villous trophoblast in placental tissues taken from 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester pregnancies. This contrasts with the absence of class 1 MHC antigens on all forms of villous trophoblast. The extra-villous trophoblast which reacted with antibodies to monomorphic class 1 MHC antigens consistently failed to bind HLA-A or HLA-B antibodies specific for the fetal phenotype. This suggests, but does not prove, that the MHC antigen expression of trophoblast may be restricted to HLA-C or some other undefined class 1 antigen.