Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
07:51

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface

Published on: May 21, 2015

Maltooligosaccharides from JEG-3 trophoblast-like cells exhibit immunoregulatory properties

Aiping Zhu1, Roberto Romero, Ji-Biao Huang

  • 1Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989)
|May 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Small carbohydrates called maltooligosaccharides on trophoblast cells may regulate immune responses. These compounds, including maltotriose and maltotetraose, were found to inhibit Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and neutrophil activity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Carbohydrate Chemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Trophoblasts play a crucial role in pregnancy and immune regulation.
  • Identifying immunologically active molecules on trophoblasts is key to understanding their function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunoregulatory properties of trophoblasts.
  • To identify and characterize small, immunologically active carbohydrates derived from trophoblast-like cells.

Main Methods:

  • JEG-3 cells were used to isolate a low molecular weight, carbohydrate-rich fraction.
  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry were employed for characterization.
  • Bioactivities of isolated maltooligosaccharides were tested on lymphocytes and neutrophils.

Main Results:

  • Maltotriose, maltotetraose, and maltopentaose were identified as major components.
  • Maltooligosaccharides demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by lymphocytes.
  • Maltooligosaccharide-derivatized surfaces inhibited spontaneous neutrophil motility.

Conclusions:

  • Maltooligosaccharides are present on the trophoblast surface.
  • These carbohydrates possess immunoregulatory activities, potentially modulating immune cell function.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Development of Stem Cell-derived Antigen-specific Regulatory T Cells Against Autoimmunity10:10

Development of Stem Cell-derived Antigen-specific Regulatory T Cells Against Autoimmunity

Published on: November 8, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Transcytosis of IgG01:15

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Mesenchymal Stem Cells01:19

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...