Higher decidual EBI3 and HLA-G mRNA expression in preeclampsia: Cause or consequence of preeclampsia

J R Prins; M L P van der Hoorn; R Keijser; C Ris-Stalpers; E van Beelen; G B Afink; F H J Claas; J A M van der Post; S A Scherjon

doi:10.1016/j.humimm.2015.10.004

Higher decidual EBI3 and HLA-G mRNA expression in preeclampsia: Cause or consequence of preeclampsia

Hum Immunol. 2016 Jan;77(1):68-70. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2015.10.004. Epub 2015 Oct 22.

Authors

J R Prins¹, M L P van der Hoorn², R Keijser³, C Ris-Stalpers⁴, E van Beelen², G B Afink³, F H J Claas⁵, J A M van der Post⁶, S A Scherjon⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: j.r.prins@umcg.nl.
² Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
³ Laboratory Reproductive Biology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁴ Laboratory Reproductive Biology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

PMID: 26472010
DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2015.10.004

Abstract

The maternal immune system must adapt to tolerate the invasion of the allogeneic feto-placental unit. It is generally accepted that improper adaptation causes pregnancy complications like preeclampsia. The Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) protein is a subunit of immune-modulatory cytokines interleukin 27 (IL-27) and IL-35. EBI3 has been reported to associate with HLA-G. In this small pilot study we find higher decidual EBI3 (p<0.05) and HLA-G (p<0.01) mRNA expression in preeclampsia (n=7) compared to normotensive (n=8) pregnancies. Whether the higher EBI3 and HLA-G mRNA expression is a consequence or cause of preeclampsia remains to be answered. Further research to determine the effects on IL-27 and IL-35 is needed.

Keywords: EBI3; HLA-G; Immunology; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy.

MeSH terms

Adult
Decidua / metabolism*
Female
HLA-G Antigens / genetics
HLA-G Antigens / metabolism*
Humans
Interleukin-27 / genetics
Interleukins / genetics
Interleukins / metabolism*
Middle Aged
Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
Pilot Projects
Pre-Eclampsia / genetics
Pre-Eclampsia / immunology*
Pregnancy
Transplantation Tolerance
Up-Regulation
Young Adult

Substances

EBI3 protein, human
HLA-G Antigens
Interleukin-27
Interleukins
Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
interleukin-35, human