Detection of antigens on mouse giant trophoblast cells after incubation with an inhibitor of glycoprotein synthesis.

The effect of 6-diazo-6-oxo-L-norleucine (DON), a glutamine analogue, on the development and expression of histocompatibility antigens on primary and secondary giant trophoblast cells has been examined in CBA and C57BL/10ScSn (ScSn) mice. Blastocyst development was normal in concentrations of less than 0.5 micrograms DON/ml, and although there was no change in the expression of antigenic determinants on CBA primary giant trophoblast cells, ScSn cells showed an increase. These strain-specific antigens which were not normally expressed on secondary giant trophoblast cells were detected on CBA and ScSn ectoplacental cone outgrowths after incubation with DON. The effect of DON could be reversed when tissue was incubated with DON + glutamine. Expression of Thy-1.2 antigen and Ig molecules on lymphocytes was unaffected by DON. It is suggested that the giant trophoblast cells of the ectoplacental cone produce a cell surface component which masks antigenic determinants and that there are differences in the amount of the masking agent produced by the primary giant trophoblast cells of the two strains of mouse.