Human trophoblast cells express the immunomodulator progesterone-induced blocking factor

Progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) is an immunomoduatory factor with anti-abortive properties. In this study, we present evidence that PIBF is synthesized in the human placenta and determine its cellular source. Expression of PIBF was analysed with polyclonal rabbit anti-human PIBF antibodies against recombinant N-terminal 48 kDa PIBF in first trimester and term placental tissues and in the choriocarcinoma cell line JAR by means of immunohistochemistry, confocal laser scanning microscopy of double immunofluorescence labelling, and Western blotting; RT-PCR was performed for analysis of PIBF mRNA in isolated trophoblast cells. PIBF protein is present in human first trimester and term placenta. Double immunofluorescence labelling localised PIBF to the extravillous cytotrophoblast. PIBF is also expressed heterogeneously by syncytiotrophoblast and part of the villous cytotrophoblast. Full-length PIBF mRNA encoded by exons 1–18 is present in isolated first trimester and term villous trophoblast and in the choriocarcinoma cell line JAR. The corresponding 90 kDa protein is expressed by JAR cells, first trimester and term villous trophoblast cells. In addition, these cells express PIBF proteins of 50 and 34 kDa. Trophoblast is a source of PIBF; its tissue distribution suggests a role both in systemic and local (decidual) immunoregulation.