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From the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine,* and Anatomy and Cell Biology,
University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas; and Human-Human Hybridoma, Inc.,
Bethesda, Maryland
| Abstract |
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(TNF
) and its closely related superfamily members, FasL and TNF related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL).1-3 LIGHT [homologous to lymphotoxins, exhibits inducible expression, competes with herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D for HVEM, a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes], a newly identified member of this growing family of molecules, is reportedly transcribed in human placentas.4-6 It is not known whether these messages are translated and no potential functions have been suggested. Much is known of the involvement of LIGHT in the human immune system. LIGHT, as with other members in this superfamily, forms a homotrimer.6,7 LIGHT has both cytosolic and membrane-bound forms.8 The membrane-bound form may be cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases to act as a soluble protein.8-10 Soluble LIGHT enhances mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR)6 and is a major mediator of graft-versus-host disease.11 LIGHT is reportedly required for dendritic cell-mediated primary allogeneic T cell responses,9 is known to induce T lymphocyte proliferation and secretion of Th-1 cytokines,9,11 and participates in the induction of cell-mediated immunity.9,11,12 LIGHT, as with most members of the TNF superfamily, has the ability to trigger apoptosis in some tumor cells in culture and in vivo.11,13
The increasingly varied roles postulated for LIGHT indicate that function will depend on receptor expression and cytokine environment. LIGHT binds to three receptors, TR6 (DcR3), HVEM, and LTßR5-7,14,15
(Figure 1)
. TR6 is a soluble receptor that competes with HVEM for LIGHT binding,15,16
abrogates LIGHT-mediated apoptosis,15-17
prolongs the survival time of mice receiving heart allografts,16
and favors Th-2 lymphokine production in a MLR.16
HVEM is present on T cells and is important in LIGHT-mediated T cell costimulation.5,6,9,11,18,19
LTßR is not found on T or B cells but is found on stromal cells and in some tumor cells, where it transduces apoptotic signals.5-7,20
The messages for all three receptors have been detected in the human placenta, but translation and cellular localization remain unknown.4,14,21,22
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| Materials and Methods |
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All reagents were obtained from Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, MO) unless otherwise noted.
Cell Lines and Tissues
The human trophoblast-derived choriocarcinoma cell line, JAR, was purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC no. HTB-144) (Manassas, VA). Human placentas were obtained from normal cesarean section delivery at term, in accordance with a protocol approved by the Human Subjects Committee of the University of Kansas Medical Center. Samples were taken randomly from the floating villi and reflected amniochorion for further analysis. Underlying pathology was not evident on histological examination of the samples.
Isolation of Term Cytotrophoblasts
Cytotrophoblasts were isolated from term placenta by enzymatic digestion and gradient centrifugation as described.23,24 Cytotrophoblasts were further purified from this cell suspension by removal of HLA-A,B,C-positive cells using the monoclonal antibody W6/32 (ATCC no. HB95) and goat anti-mouse Ig-conjugated magnetic microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec Inc., Auburn, CA) according to the protocol recommended by the manufacturer. To assess purity of cytotrophoblasts, Cytospin (Shandon, Pittsburgh, PA) preparations of cells were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining using mouse anti-pan cytokeratin (Lu-5) (Bio Genex, San Ramon, CA), which detects all trophoblast cells, and mouse anti-CD14 (Zymed, San Francisco, CA), which detects contaminating macrophages. Less than one percent of the cells was immunoreactive for CD14. We further qualified the purity of our samples by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining using mouse anti-ßhCG (clone CG05) (Neomarkers, Fremont, CA) to detect any contaminating syncytial fragments.23 Less than 4% of the cytospin-prepared cells demonstrated immunoreactivity for ßhCG, suggesting very few contaminating syncytial fragments. ßhCG protein was not detectable by immunoblot in these samples indicating that highly pure populations of cytotrophoblasts were isolated. Purified cells were immediately lysed for protein and RNA preparations.
Analysis by RT-PCR
Whole placenta (n = 1), cytotrophoblasts purified from a different placenta (n = 1), and JAR cells were analyzed. RNA was isolated from 8 x 106 cells, or 100 mg tissue, using 1 ml TRIzol (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD) according to the manufacturers protocol. Total RNA was treated with DNase I (AMP-D1) according to the manufacturers instructions. First-strand cDNA synthesis was then performed using this treated total RNA and Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase (Life Technologies) according to the enzyme manufacturers protocol. Ten µl of each 1:5 diluted cDNA sample were used in the subsequent 50 µl PCR reaction for the LIGHT primer pair. Four µl (50 µl reaction) of cDNA were used for the ß-actin primer pair. Primers were derived from human LIGHT cDNA (forward: 5'-CAAGAGCGAAGGTCTCACGAGGTC-3' and reverse 5'-TCACACCATGAAAGCCCCGAAGTAAG-3') and human ß-actin cDNA (forward 5'-CACCCCGTGCTGCTGACCGAGGCC-3' and reverse 5'-CCACACGGAGTACTTGCGCTCAGG-3') sequences, respectively (National Center for Biotechnology Information databases), using the PrimerSelect program (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, WI), and were synthesized by Gemini Biotech (Alachua, FL). The amplification schedule for LIGHT was: 94°C for 5 minutes; 38 cycles of 94°C for 45 seconds, 60°C for 45 seconds, 72°C for 2 minutes; and 72°C for 7 minutes. The amplification schedule for ß-actin was: 94°C for 45 seconds; 30 cycles of 94°C for 45 seconds; 60°C for 30 seconds; 72°C for 2 minutes; and 72°C for 7 minutes. All reactions were conducted in a GeneAmp PCR System 2400 thermocycler (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Products were analyzed by electrophoresis of 10 µl of each reaction through 2% agarose (Amresco 3:1, Solon, OH), 0.05 µg/ml ethidium bromide, followed by UV transillumination. The correct sequence of product derived from LIGHT primers was confirmed by dRhodamine terminator cycle sequencing using the ABI 310 DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems) in the Center for Reproductive Sciences at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Analysis by Immunoblotting
Protein samples were prepared from homogenized placental tissue (n = 3) and lysed primary cells purified from the same placentas (n = 3). Protein quantification was performed as per the manufacturers protein assay protocol (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Richmond, CA). Fifty µg of total protein were separated by electrophoresis on 15% polyacrylamide SDS-PAGE gels. Proteins were electrophoretically transferred to 0.2 µm-supported nitrocellulose (Schleicher & Schuell, Keene, NH), for 75 minutes at 100 volts (27°C) in Na2CO3/NaHCO3 buffer (pH 9.9). For detection of specific proteins, primary antibodies were prepared in Tris-buffered saline (TBS) with 0.05% Tween-20 (TBS-T) and 3% nonfat milk (Bio-Rad Laboratories) and incubated on the membranes for approximately 15 hours at 4°C (Table 1)
. Membranes were washed in TBS-T and incubated with the respective secondary antibody-enzyme conjugates for 1 hour at 27°C (Table 1)
. Membranes were washed in TBS-T and subjected to chemiluminescent detection (Pierce, Rockford, IL).
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One cm3 samples were surgically excised, at random from 4 placentas, from both cotyledons embedded in basal plate and amniochorion membranes, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, and then embedded in paraffin blocks. Paraffin sections were deparaffinized in Histoclear (National Diagnostics, Atlanta, GA) and rehydrated in an ethanol gradient. Tissue sections were blocked with 10% normal horse or goat serum for 1 hour at 27°C. The blocker was removed and primary antibody was added (Table 1)
. The tissue sections were incubated for 15 hours at 4°C. Washes were performed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with 0.3% Tween-20 (PBS-T) and the peroxidase block was performed with 0.5% H2O2 in methanol for 30 minutes. The respective biotinylated secondary antibody was added and incubated for 1 hour at 27°C (Table 1)
. Following washes with PBS-T, the streptavidin peroxidase label (Zymed) was incubated for 10 minutes at 27°C. The sections were washed with PBS and the 3-amino-9-ethylcarbozole in N,N-dimethylformamide (AEC) color development substrate (Zymed) was incubated for 10 minutes at 27°C. Sections were washed in water and counterstained with Mayers hematoxylin.
| Results |
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We used RT-PCR to test for LIGHT message in placenta, purified cytotrophoblasts, and JAR cells (a choriocarcinoma-derived cell line). We detected LIGHT message in all three samples (Figure 2)
. Our findings agree with previous reports that placenta and JAR cells contain message for LIGHT4,5,7
and we demonstrate, for the first time, LIGHT message in purified cytotrophoblast cells.
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Immunoblot experiments showed an intense signal for TR6 protein in amniochorion lysates (Figure 3)
. Although TR6 protein was not detected in lysates of placental villi unless the blots were overexposed (data not shown) it was readily detected in purified cytotrophoblasts (Figure 3)
.
Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated weak signals for TR6 protein in the syncytiotrophoblast layer and in the villous mesenchymal cells of term placentas (Figure 4C)
. By contrast, TR6 protein was abundantly expressed in the amnion and in the decidua capsularis (Figure 4D)
. TR6 protein was detected in most fetal mesenchymal cells adjacent to the amnion but was not observed in the chorion (Figure 4D)
. The negative controls were not immunoreactive for rabbit IgG (Figure 4, C and D)
.
Localization of LIGHTs Membrane-Bound Receptors in the Human Placenta at Term
HVEM and LTßR protein were detected in placenta, amniochorion, and cytotrophoblast lysates by immunoblotting (Figure 3)
. HVEM and LTßR migrate as larger molecular weight proteins than their amino acid content would suggest, which is not uncommon among TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily members given their potential for post-translational modification.25
Immunohistochemical studies detected HVEM protein in the syncytiotrophoblast layer (Figure 4E)
. HVEM protein was also localized to the amnion and decidua capsularis (Figure 4F)
. HVEM protein was not detected in villous (Figure 4E)
or membrane (Figure 4F)
fetal mesenchymal cells. LTßR protein was localized throughout the placenta (Figure 4G)
. The amnion, fetal mesenchymal cells, and decidua capsularis all contained immunoreactive LTßR (Figure 4H)
. HVEM (Figure 4F)
and LTßR (Figure 4H)
protein were not detected in chorion membranes. The negative controls were not immunoreactive for goat IgG (Figure 4, EH)
.
The immunoblot and immunohistochemistry data for LIGHT, TR6, HVEM, and LTßR are summarized in Tables 2 and 3
.
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| Discussion |
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The biological implications of the expression patterns are as yet unclear. The interaction of the placenta with active maternal immune cells could initiate a cascade of biochemical events that culminate in placental demise but this clearly does not happen. There is increasing evidence that LIGHT promotes inflammation, yet the syncytiotrophoblast layer, which is exposed to immune cells in circulating maternal blood, expresses this cytokine. This suggests an alternative function for LIGHT at the maternal fetal interface. HSV can gain entry into T cells through HVEM14 and LIGHT can interfere with this process.5 Evolutionary pressure to prevent entry of virus might have driven the expression of LIGHT on T cells,5,8 and this might also account for its presence on syncytiotrophoblast. The fetal mesenchymal cells, which are not exposed to maternal immune cells under normal conditions, also express LIGHT. In this environment, LIGHT may be able to promote inflammation6,9,11,12,26 and contribute to placental defense from circulating pathogens, as is the case with LIGHT in other contexts.
LIGHT shares significant homology with TNF
and seems to possess the same capacity to activate or suppress the proliferation of distinct cellular populations. Both TNF
and LIGHT receptors can recruit specific intracellular factors [TNF receptor-associated factor-1 (TRAF-1), and TRAF-2], initiating a cascade of events culminating in NF
B activation.7,27-30
TNF
has been detected in the uterus, embryo, and placenta and has been postulated to play a positive role in female reproduction.31-38
Given the sequence homology, shared signal transduction pathway, and mutual localization in the placenta, it is reasonable to suggest that LIGHT and TNF
might act similarly to promote homeostasis in maternal and fetal tissues during pregnancy.
A notable finding in this study was that TR6 was weakly expressed in the term placenta but easily detected in the amniochorion. The high level of TR6 expression in the amnion suggests that this protein is secreted into the amniotic fluid where it may modulate the actions of LIGHT and FasL. Infection and preterm labor have been associated with high levels of TNF
in human amniotic fluid.39
The level of soluble TNFR in amniotic fluid varies with gestational age and has been postulated to protect the fetus from excess TNF
.40
Similarly, TR6 may be important in neutralizing excess LIGHT in the amniotic fluid.
The co-expression of LTßR and HVEM on the cytotrophoblasts and in cells located in the decidua capsularis recapitulates the dual expression observed in some tumor cell lines in which LIGHT causes apoptosis.41
LIGHT, as with TNF
,42
may therefore be able to promote apoptosis in human cytotrophoblasts and this interaction could be modulated by autocrine or paracrine TR6 expression. It would be interesting to explore the relative expression level of LTßR and HVEM proteins in pathological specimens as these proteins exhibit some variable expression in our samples of normal placenta.
The results of the present study locate LIGHT, TR6, HVEM, and LTßR protein in specific maternal and fetal cells important in the maintenance of human pregnancy. Studies on the function and regulation of placental LIGHT have yet to be done but sequence homology and cellular localization data suggest that this cytokine will mirror TNF
as a powerful and potentially pleiotropic mediator of successful pregnancy.
| Acknowledgements |
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| Footnotes |
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Supported by National Institutes of Health grants HD24212 and HD33994 (to J.S.H.) and from the Lawson-Mann fellowship (to R.M.G.).
Accepted for publication August 15, 2002.
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and
-interferon against primary human placental trophoblasts. Placenta 1994, 15:819-835[Medline]This article has been cited by other articles:
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