J Biol Chem 1989 Oct 05;26428:16507-11.

Unusually large interferon-alpha-like mRNAs and high expression of interleukin-6 in human fetal annexes.

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Endogenous interferons (IFNs) with antiviral activity have been detected in human fetal annexes, without any apparent induction. Some are of unusually high molecular weight and antigenic properties (Duc-Goiran P., Robert-Galliot, B., Lopez, J., and Chany, C. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 5010-5014). We study here the expression of IFN genes from the three antigenically distinct groups, in placental tissues taken during third-trimester pregnancies. We show by Northern blot analysis with RNA probes that IFN-alpha-like transcripts correlate with the presence of functionally active protein, purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. We fractionate on a formamide sucrose gradient, identify, and characterize a large 4.3-kb IFN-alpha-like transcript, which may be specifically expressed during fetal development. Despite the absence of IFN-beta transcript, a protein with an antiviral activity which was neutralized with a polyclonal anti-IFN-beta serum was detected in the placenta and could be related to a beta-like IFN. Besides IFNs, various growth factors and cytokines can be found in the placenta. We report here the presence of interleukin-6 expressed at high levels in fetal annexes. The coexpression of Interleukin-6 and endogenous IFNs suggests that they play an important role during development.

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Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: ifn2 (provisional)