HLA-G transgenic mice. |
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Authors: | A Mellor M Zhou S J Conway D Munn |
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Affiliation: | Program in Molecular Immunology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-2600, USA. mellor@immagen.mcg.edu |
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Abstract: | We have generated a number of transgenic mice using DNA segments derived from the HLA-G gene. Using these mice we have examined the pattern of expression dictated by HLA-G promoter elements in mice and shown that HLA-G functions both as a restriction element and a transplantation antigen recognized by murine T cells. In addition, we have shown that trophoblast cells expressing H-2Kb under the control of HLA-G promoter elements affect maternal T cell phenotype and responsiveness during pregnancy. Using these same HLA-G/H-2Kb transgenic mice we have shown that trophoblast cells, expressing an inducible enzyme that degrades tryptophan, protects allogeneic conceptus expressing paternally-inherited transgenes from attack by maternal T cells that leads to fetal rejection. |
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