Overexpression of CD39 protects in a mouse model of preeclampsia

Abstract

CD39 (NTPDase1), a critical immune and vascular ecto-nucleotidase, hydrolyses pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic nucleotides (adenosine-5′- triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate) to adenosine. In humans, CD39 is the dominant ecto-nucleotidase in placental trophoblastic tissues and modulates ATP-dependent trophoblastic functions. CD39 is an integral component of regulatory T cells (Treg), which are central to immunological tolerance and maintenance of normal pregnancy. We examined the impact of CD39 overexpression in a mouse model of preeclampsia. Matings were performed between virginal BALB/c female (wild-type (WT) or CD39 transgenic (CD39TG)) and C57BL/6 male mice. On days 10 and 12..