Glucocorticoid Modulation of HLA-G in Recurrent Miscarriage
An ex vivo trophoblast study assessing whether dexamethasone and hydrocortisone enhance HLA-G mRNA and protein expression in recurrent miscarriage placental tissue.
This study examined primary first-trimester trophoblast cells from women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage and compared them with cells from normal pregnancies to evaluate baseline HLA-G expression and responsiveness to glucocorticoids. Basal HLA-G transcripts and protein levels were markedly reduced in recurrent miscarriage cells. Treatment with dexamethasone or hydrocortisone significantly up-regulated HLA-G in a dose- and time-dependent manner without affecting cell viability. HLA-G promoter and 3′UTR polymorphisms showed no association with expression. Findings suggest glucocorticoids may modulate trophoblast HLA-G with potential therapeutic relevance.
Figure 1. HLA-G expression on trophoblast cells of first trimester terminated pregnancy