Immunocytochemical localization of interferons in human trophoblast populations

It is known that Interferon (IFN) is present in normal body fluids and tissues during pregnancy. Using an immunohistochemical technique and a panel of monoclonal antibodies we have localized IFN-alpha, -beta and -gamma directly on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded normal human placentae at different stages of pregnancy and in the hydatidiform mole. The results show that IFNs is mostly localized in villous syncytiotrophoblast and in extravillous interstitial-trophoblast. No reactivity was observed in villous cytotrophoblast or in cytotrophoblast cell columns. The most intense staining was observed for IFN-alpha and -beta, while IFN-gamma was rather weak. There is then a gradual diminution in IFN reactivity with increasing gestation age being almost imperceptible at term. These results suggest that IFN may deploy antiviral, immunomodulator and differentiation activities during normal human pregnancy.