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Biology of reproduction2016; 95(6); 135; doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.137851

Ectopic Trophoblast Allografts in the Horse Resist Destruction by Secondary Immune Responses.

Abstract: Invasive trophoblast from Day 34 horse conceptuses survives in extrauterine sites in allogeneic recipients that are immunologically naive to donor major histocompatibility complex class I antigens. The ectopic trophoblast retains its in utero characteristics, including similar lifespan, physiologic effect of its secreted product (equine chorionic gonadotropin) upon the recipient's ovaries, and induction of host immune responses. Immunologic memory has not been considered previously in this experimental system. We hypothesized that primary exposure to ectopic trophoblast would affect the recipient's immune status such that the survival time of subsequent transplants would be altered. Secondary transplant lifespans could be shortened by destructive memory responses, as has been observed in ectopic trophoblast studies in rodents, or lengthened, as occurs when male skin grafts follow multiple syngeneic pregnancies in mice. Eight mares received two closely spaced trophoblast transplants. Both grafts for each recipient were obtained from conceptuses sired by the same stallion to provide consistency in histocompatibility antigen exposure. Donor stallions were major histocompatibility complex class I homozygotes. Cytotoxic antibody production was tracked to monitor recipients' immune responses to the transplants. Detection of serum equine chorionic gonadotropin was used as a proxy for transplant lifespan. There was no significant difference between the distributions of primary and secondary transplant lifespans, despite evidence of immunologic memory. These data demonstrate that secondary ectopic trophoblast transplants in horses do not experience earlier destruction or prolonged survival following immune priming of recipients. Mechanisms responsible for the eventual demise of the transplants remain unperturbed by secondary immune responses or chronic antigenic exposure.
© 2016 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.
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Publication Date: 2016-10-19 PubMed ID: 27760752PubMed Central: PMC5315430DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.137851Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research explores how invasive trophoblast from horse embryos manages to survive outside the uterus, resisting destruction by the host’s immune responses and retaining its original characteristics, even upon secondary exposure.

Primary Hypothesis and Object of Study

  • The primary hypothesis of this study revolved around how primary exposure to ectopic trophoblast – that is, trophoblast cells growing outside the uterus in an unrelated (allogeneic) recipient – may influence the recipient’s immune status, altering the survival time of subsequent transplants.
  • The study examined whether secondary transplant lifespans would be shortened due to destructive immune responses, similar to previous findings in rodent studies, or lengthened, as seen when male skin grafts follow multiple pregnancies in mice.

Methodology

  • Eight mares were used for the experiment, each undergoing two closely spaced trophoblast transplants.
  • Consistency was ensured by obtaining both grafts for each recipient from embryos sired by the same stallion, and the donor stallions all shared the same characteristic of being major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I homozygotes.
  • The production of cytotoxic antibodies was tracked to monitor the mare’s immune responses to the transplants.
  • The lifespan of the transplants was estimated based on the detection of serum equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), a hormone secreted by the trophoblast.

Results and Conclusion

  • The results showed no significant difference between the survival times of the first and second transplants, inspite of evidence of immune memory, indicating resistance to ‘destructive’ secondary immune responses.
  • The research concluded that secondary ectopic trophoblast transplants in horses do not face earlier destruction or extended survival following the immune preparation (“priming”) of the recipients.
  • Whatever mechanisms lead to the eventual failure of the transplants seem unaffected by secondary immune responses or long-term antigen exposure.

This study provides invaluable insights into the resilience of ectopic trophoblast transplants in horses against secondary immune responses and signifies potential avenues for further research into reproductive biology and immunology.

Cite This Article

APA
Brosnahan MM, Silvela EJ, Crumb J, Miller DC, Erb HN, Antczak DF. (2016). Ectopic Trophoblast Allografts in the Horse Resist Destruction by Secondary Immune Responses. Biol Reprod, 95(6), 135. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.115.137851

Publication

Biology of reproduction
ISSN: 1529-7268
NlmUniqueID: 0207224
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 95
Issue: 6
Pages: 135
PII: 135

Researcher Affiliations

Brosnahan, Margaret M
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York.
Silvela, Emily J
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York.
Crumb, Jessica
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York.
Miller, Donald C
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York.
Erb, Hollis N
  • Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York.
Antczak, Douglas F
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York DFA1@cornell.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Allografts
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Graft Survival / immunology
  • Horses
  • Immunity, Active / immunology
  • Trophoblasts / immunology
  • Trophoblasts / transplantation

Grant Funding

  • K08 HD065914 / NICHD NIH HHS
  • R01 HD049545 / NICHD NIH HHS

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Antczak DF, Allen WRT. Placentation in Equids. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 2021;234:91-128.
    doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-77360-1_6pubmed: 34694479google scholar: lookup
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