Changes of inhibitory receptors on NK-92 cells and HLA-G on BeWo cells with Toxoplasma gondii infection

Inflammation. 2013 Dec;36(6):1440-7. doi: 10.1007/s10753-013-9684-1.

Abstract

The aim of this study were to demonstrate the effects of Yellow fluorescent protein-Toxoplasma gondii infection on the NK-92 cells co-cultured with BeWo cells in vitro and to verify the implications upon adverse pregnancy outcome. There are four groups including NK-92 cells infected or uninfected with T. gondii, and NK-92 cells co-cultured with BeWo cells in the presence or absent of T. gondii infection. Cells were observed by fluorescence microscope at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 h after infection. Levels of inhibitory receptors killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)2DL4 and ILT-2 expressed on NK-92 cells, and their common ligand HLA-G expressed on BeWo cells were measured by real-time PCR and flow cytometry in all groups. Levels of KIR2DL4, ILT-2 and HLA-G increased at 12, 24, 36, and 48 h, while decreased at 60 h in all T. gondii-infected groups compared with their parallel control groups, respectively. KIR2DL4 and ILT-2 expression in co-culture groups with infection were higher than those in infected NK-92 groups at 12, 24, 36, and 48 h, while there were no significant differences at 60 h. The expression of the two inhibitory receptors was correlated with HLA-G expression in infected co-culture groups. The changes of inhibitory receptors on NK-92 cells and their common ligand HLA-G on BeWo cells with T. gondii infection might contribute to the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Female
  • HLA-G Antigens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / immunology
  • Pregnancy Complications / parasitology*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism
  • Receptors, KIR2DL4 / metabolism
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • KIR2DL4 protein, human
  • LILRB1 protein, human
  • Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, KIR2DL4