Androgenetic origin of African complete hydatidiform moles demonstrated by HLA markers

Abstract

The polymorphism of HLA antigens was used as a marker to investigate the genetic origin of hydatidiform moles in Senegal. An androgenetic etiology was demonstrated. When both parents shared HLA antigens a preferential inheritance in the mole of the shared specificities was observed. This relative compatibility of the molar conceptus with the mother may be an element of the process that prevents its early rejection.

The genetics of hydatidiform moles: new lights on an ancient disease

“…In some studies, this abnormal immune relationship was attributed to an insufficient fetal antigenic stimulus caused by the sharing of several HLA antigens between the patients and their partners (72). In cases where the segregation of the parental HLA was investigated, the shared alleles were found in the androgenetic moles indicating either a preferential fertilization of a spermatozoon carrying the shared antigen or the maternal selection and delayed elimination of HLA compatible conceptuses (73). Indeed, the spontaneous delayed elimination of typical HMs relative to abortions with cystic changes was originally noted by Hertig and Edmonds (40) and elaborated by Takeuchi (74).…”

Des andro- et parthénogénotes humains (môles hydatiformes et tératomes ovariens) au cancer

“…Cette découverte leur vaut la précision de môle complète androgénique (anCHM). L'étiologie androgénique des CHM a été confirmée par d'autres études [3][4][5] et deux situations ont été documentées. D'une part l'éviction du pronucléus maternel et le doublement du pronucléus paternel : dans ces cas tous les marqueurs sont homozygotes et les caryotypes observés ont toujours été 46XX.…”

“…L'éventuel rôle des antigènes HLA, en particulier A et B, n'est pas actuellement clarifié, mais il est certain qu'ils sont exprimés sur les môles : les études que nous avions menées sur l'étiologie des PHM et CHM, en utilisant les marqueurs HLA [4,5] l'avaient été par sérologie et Lawler et al [65] avaient pu observer que les grossesses môlaires pouvaient être HLA immunogènes.…”

Hydatidiform mole and HLA. II. Compatibility between patient and conceptus

“…Furthermore, HLA antibodies or immune complexes may act as blocking factors of importance to evolution of trophoblastic tumour. Evidence for an increased sharing of HLA haplotypes between patient and molar conceptus was found by Couillin et al (1985).…”