Objective: To explore the effects of mifepristone on the expressions of HLA-G, HLA-E and HLA-F in extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVCT).
Methods: Cultured EVCT during the first trimester were treated in vitro with progesterone and mifepristone. And the transcription levels of HLA-G, HLA-E and HLA-F genes were detected by RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction).
Results: As compared with the controls, the levels of HLA-G, HLA-E and HLA-F mRNA significantly increased in EVCT after incubating with 0.1 ng/L progesterone (P < 0.05). These effects could be completely blocked by a co-incubation with mifepristone at the same concentrations.
Conclusion: Mifepristone can inhibit the effects of progesterone by down-regulating the expressions of HLA-G, HLA-E and HLA-F mRNA in trophoblasts during the first trimester.