[HLA-G: an immunoregulatory non classical class I HLA molecule]

Arch Inst Pasteur Tunis. 2009;86(1-4):27-38.
[Article in French]

Abstract

HLA-G is a particular non classical HLA class I molecule. Despite its tissue-restricted expression and low polymorphism, this molecule plays an important role in innate and adaptative immunity. The tolerogenic propriety of HLA-G makes it an immunomodulatory molecule acting in the early phases of conception, protecting fetal tissues from the maternal immune system. Immunomodulatory functions of HLA-G and the associations of this molecule with some pathological states are reported in this review. So, little amounts of soluble HLA-G or particular allelic expression of this molecule are associated with some pregnancy complications. HLA-G expression on tumor cells by preventing antitumor responses via a trogocytosis mechanism and regulatory T cells induction is associated with invasiveness and clinical evolution of some tumor types. HLA-G is also involved in the protection of the transplanted tissues from rejection. Revealing of new more functional homomultimeric isoforms of this molecule offers new insight in a better understanding of clinical and biological role of HLA-G.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / immunology*
  • Female
  • Fetus / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • HLA Antigens / chemistry
  • HLA Antigens / genetics
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / chemistry
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility, Maternal-Fetal / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology*
  • Immunomodulation / immunology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / immunology
  • Pregnancy
  • Protein Isoforms / immunology
  • Protein Multimerization / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology
  • Receptors, KIR2DL5
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, KIR2DL5