Functional expression on human trophoblasts of interleukin 4 and interleukin 7 receptor complexes with a common γ chain

The γ chain in the high-affinity receptor complex for interleukin 2(IL-2) is used in receptor complexes for IL-4 and IL-7. We examined expression and function of the γ chain in trophoblast cells. Flow cytometric studies demonstrated that the human placental cell line and choriocarcinoma cell lines expressed the IL-2R γ chain. None of these cell lines expressed the IL-2R α and β chains, whereas the α chains of IL-4R and IL-7R were present. The γ chain and IL-4R and IL-7R mRNA were detected in human placental trophoblasts by the in situ hybridization method. The release of human chorionic gonadotropin by trophoblasts was accelerated by IL-4 and IL-7 in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings indicate that IL-4 and IL-7 are involved in trophoblast function.