A porcine trophoblast cell line that secretes growth factors which stimulate porcine macrophages.

We have previously described experiments in both the mouse and the human indicating that cytokines capable of activating macrophages (colony-stimulating factor-1 [CSF-1], granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], and interleukin-3 [IL-3]) are produced by, and/or stimulatory of, trophoblast cells in these species. In contrast to the complex hemochorial placenta of the mouse and humans, the pig has a simple diffuse type of placenta, designated as epitheliochorial. To determine whether similar phenomena might not apply to the porcine pregnancy, we have isolated a cell line, designated Jag-1, from the trophoblastic tips of Day 14 porcine embryos. We report here that this cell line is cytokeratin-positive, vimentin-negative, and therefore of epidermal origin. It also shares various morphological characteristics with porcine trophoblast as demonstrated at both the light and electron microscopic levels. In addition, Jag-1 cells and primary trophoblast tissue from Day 14 blastocyst do not express classical major histocompatibility (MHC) class I and class II antigens, a unique feature of trophoblast in many species. To determine the ability of this cell line to produce cytokines, we have developed an assay for porcine macrophage growth factors that utilizes uptake of tritiated thymidine. This assay responds positively to recombinant bovine GM-CSF and, more importantly, detects a similar activity in supernatants of the porcine trophoblast cell line and of Day 14 blastocysts. Thus porcine trophoblast cells, like their murine and human counterparts, produce and potentially interact with lymphohematopoietic cytokines that are traditionally associated with macrophages.