Interferon-gamma enhances mRNA and surface expression of class I antigen on human extravillous trophoblast.

Human trophoblast cells with immunocytochemical characteristics of the extravillous population have been isolated from 1st trimester placentae. Treatment of these cells with IFN-gamma increases the expression of Class I antigens at both the cell surface and mRNA level. A similar increase in Class I antigens is also found in JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells after treatment with IFN-gamma. The possibility that aberrant production of IFN-gamma may upset the fetal-maternal equilibrium in vivo is discussed.