Ontogeny and distribution of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) antigens on mouse placental trophoblast

Abstract

The ontogeny and distribution of H-2 antigens in the mouse placenta has been investigated using a mixed haemadsorption assay on short-term (overnight) cultures of placental cells. At day 9, when the definitive form of the placenta begins to emerge, only limited H-2 labelling was observed and this was also true of cultures derived from isolated portions of the 13–14 day labyrinthine trophoblast region. In contrast, the 13–14 day sponglotrophoblast, which provides a source of trophoblast uncontaminated by foetal mesenchyme, expressed readily detectable levels of H-2 antigens. The findings are considered in relation to the localisation of immunological function in the placenta.