Expression of HLA–G in the human corneal epithelium

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To investigate the expression of HLA–G in corneal epithelium. Method: Expression of HLA–G mRNA in the corneal epithelium was measured by RT–PCR and real–time PCR with HLA–G a1–specific primers. HLA–G specific mAbs were generated against both denatured heavy chain and the cell surface domain, and used in immunohistochemical staining for paraffin–embeded or frozen sections and cytospined cells. JAR ( HLA–G – ) trophoblast cell line, JEG–3 ( HLA–G + ) trophoblast cell line, human corneal epithelial cell line ( HCEC ), and human corneal epithelial cell from donor eyes and primary cultures were used. Results: RT–PCR showed that HLA–G mRNA was expressed in the corneal epithelium. Real–time PCR revealed that HLA–G expression increased by approximately 43 fold following the addition of IFN–g. HLA–G antibodies stained the extravillous trophoblast and chorionic trophoblast cells, but did not stain corneal tissue sections in immunohistochemistry. HLA–G antibody stained cytospined JEG–3 cells, HCEC and primary cornea epithelial cells, but not JAR cells. Conclusion: HLA–G was expressed in the corneal epithelium. HLA–G mRNA was up–regulated after IFN–g application, suggesting that it may be involved in the immune response in the corneal epithelium. Supported by a grant of the Ministry of Health and Walfare. (Saisei, H15–13).

Keywords: cornea: epithelium • gene/expression • immunomodulation/immunoregulation