Human Reproduction Update, Vol.5, No.3 pp.234-248, 1999
© European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 1999; all rights reserved
A critical review of the role of the major histocompatibility complex in fertilization, preimplantation development and feto-maternal interactions
0 Department of Biological Sciences, Central Campus, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, Essex, UK 2 Division of Medical Sciences, The Medical School of Birmingham University, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK 3 Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Strzesznska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland 1 Corresponding author Tel: +44 (0) 1206 873330 Fax: +44 (0)1206 872592 E-mail: nelson@essex.ac.uk
Abstract
From conception to old age, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is at the centre of immune responses that aid survival, fitness and adaptation of mammalian species to the environment. Its main function is that of controlling adaptive immunity, particularly T-cell-mediated immunity towards pathogens. In several species, including humans, the MHC is also able to elicit T-cell-mediated immune responses to allogeneic MHC antigens (non-self MHC antigens expressed by another individual from the same species). Although this phenomenon was originally identified in mice by the somewhat unnatural means of tissue transplantation, it was soon realized that it may also play an important role in the natural state, since the mammalian fetus in the maternal uterus is semi-allogeneic, due to the presence of MHC genes inherited from the father. Thus, during normal pregnancy the maternal immune system undergoes changes that lead to tolerance of the fetus. The MHC can play a dual role in the reproduction process: firstly influencing mating choice in some species, affecting the mother-father MHC matching; and secondly influencing the development of the fertilized ovum during the preimplantation period. In this review we examine the role of the MHC at three distinct levels: (i) MHC expression in gametes and its role in fertilization; (ii) MHC expression in placental tissue; and (iii) MHC expression in embryonic tissue. We suggest that the MHC plays a pleiotropic role, both in fitness (survival and reproductive success) and in development, thereby ensuring the survival of the species in future generations.
Keywords:cytokines/embryonic development/gametes/MHC/placenta
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  V. R. Shaikly, I. E. G. Morrison, M. Taranissi, C. V. Noble, A. D. Withey, R. J. Cherry, S. M. Blois, and N. Fernandez Analysis of HLA-G in Maternal Plasma, Follicular Fluid, and Preimplantation Embryos Reveal an Asymmetric Pattern of Expression J. Immunol., March 15, 2008; 180(6): 4330 - 4337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. C. Cooper, G. B. Dealtry, M. A. Ahmed, P. C. Arck, B. F. Klapp, S. M. Blois, and N. Fernandez An Impaired Breeding Phenotype in Mice with a Genetic Deletion of Beta-2 Microglobulin and Diminished MHC Class I Expression: Role in Reproductive Fitness Biol Reprod, August 1, 2007; 77(2): 274 - 279. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Mirkin, G. Nikas, J.-G. Hsiu, J. Diaz, and S. Oehninger Gene Expression Profiles and Structural/Functional Features of the Peri-Implantation Endometrium in Natural and Gonadotropin-Stimulated Cycles J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2004; 89(11): 5742 - 5752. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. S. Goldman-Wohl, I. Ariel, C. Greenfield, J. Hanoch, and S. Yagel HLA-G expression in extravillous trophoblasts is an intrinsic property of cell differentiation: a lesson learned from ectopic pregnancies Mol. Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2000; 6(6): 535 - 540. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. M. Emmer, W. L.D.M. Nelen, E. A.P. Steegers, J. C.M. Hendriks, M. Veerhoek, and I. Joosten Peripheral natural killer cytotoxicity and CD56posCD16pos cells increase during early pregnancy in women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2000; 15(5): 1163 - 1169. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D.S. Goldman-Wohl, I. Ariel, C. Greenfield, D. Hochner-Celnikier, J. Cross, S. Fisher, and S. Yagel Lack of human leukocyte antigen-G expression in extravillous trophoblasts is associated with pre-eclampsia Mol. Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2000; 6(1): 88 - 95. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|