Expression of HLA-E molecules in the placental tissue of women infected with HIV-1 and uninfected women

• Published in: Placenta (Eastbourne) Vol. 49; pp. 33 - 36
• Main Authors: Martinez, Juliana, Santiago, Mariana Rodrigues, Martelli-Palomino, Gustavo, Souza, Diego Agra de, Silva, Társia Giabardo Alvez, Silva, Gyl Eanes Barros, Chahud, Fernando, Donadi, Eduardo Antonio, Fernandes, Ana Paula Morais
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Expression; Female; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - metabolism; HIV Infections - metabolism; HIV-1; HLA-E; HLA-E Antigens; Humans; Internal Medicine; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Placenta; Placenta - metabolism; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Trophoblasts - metabolism; Young Adult; HIV-1; Placenta; Expression; HLA-E
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.08.082
• EISSN: 1532-3102
• ISSN: 0143-4004

Abstract Introduction Expression of HLA-E molecule in the placental extravillous trophoblast is associated with immune system cell inhibition, resulting in immune tolerance to fetus during pregnancy. HIV-1 can infect trophoblast cells and modify the expression of HLA-E, which may inhibit the cytotoxic activity of the immune system. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate HLA-E expression in third trimester placental tissue of women infected with HIV-1 and uninfected women. Methods We performed an immunohistochemistry assay to evaluate HLA-E staining in the placental tissue of 99 HIV-1 infected and 85 uninfected women. A pathologist analyzed and classified the HLA-E expression in the placental cells. Results Irrespective of the HIV status, HLA-E staining was observed in the extravillous trophoblast cells, endothelial cells and Hofbauer cells, but not in the syncytiotrophoblast. HLA-E staining showed no significant difference between the placental tissue of women infected with HIV-1 and uninfected women ( P  = 0.76). Considering HIV-1 infected women, HLA-E staining was not influenced by HIV-1 viral load ( P  = 0.48), CD4+ T-cell count ( P  = 0.10) and antiretroviral therapy used during pregnancy ( P  = 0.54). Discussion Despite the presence of HIV-1 infection, the expression of HLA-E molecules in the placental tissue was not modified when the infection was under antiretroviral therapy control.