Expression of Phosphatidylserine-Dependent Antigens on the Surface of Differentiating BeWo Human Choriocarcinoma Cells

PROBLEM: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are associated with pregnancy loss, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and intrauterine growth retardation. We have previously reported that phosphatidylserine (PS)-dependent antigens are expressed in formalin-fixed cells concurrent with differentiation in a choriocarcinoma model (BeWo) of cytotrophoblast. That study, however, could not differentiate between cytoplasmic or surface antigen expression. METHOD: Three monoclonal aPLs that differentiate between PS- and cardiolipin (CL)-dependent antigens were reacted with BeWo, with or without forskolin activation, before fixation, and antibody binding was evaluated by immunoperoxidase techniques. RESULTS: Activation with forskolin induced a PS-dependent antigenic determinant on the surface on BeWo cells. CL-reactive monoclonal antibodies did not react with the cell surface, whether forskolin treated or not. CONCLUSION: These observations demonstrate that a PS-dependent antigen is expressed on the surface of a model of differentiating cytotrophoblastic cells and should be accessible in vivo to circulating aPLs