Class I major histocompatibility complex antigen expression on early murine trophoblast and its induction by...

The expression of paternal class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in cultures of murine ectoplacental cone trophoblast was examined using immunogold labelled antibodies and electron microscopy. Class I MHC antigens could be induced on ectoplacental cone derived trophoblast following exposure to concanavalin A stimulated T cell supernatants. Class I MHC antigens were not detected in untreated trophoblast cultures. Class II MHC antigens were never detected on trophoblast whether treated or untreated. This is the first report of the experimental induction of Class I MHC antigens on a population of normally MHC-negative trophoblast cells.