Immunoregulatory Role of HLA-G in Allergic Diseases

J Immunol Res. 2016:2016:6865758. doi: 10.1155/2016/6865758. Epub 2016 Jun 20.

Abstract

Allergic diseases are sustained by a T-helper 2 polarization leading to interleukin-4 secretion, IgE-dependent inflammation, and mast cell and eosinophil activation. HLA-G molecules, both in membrane-bound and in soluble forms, play a central role in modulation of immune responses. Elevated levels of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) molecules are detected in serum of patients with allergic rhinitis to seasonal and perennial allergens and correlate with allergen-specific IgE levels, clinical severity, drug consumption, and response to allergen-specific immunotherapy. sHLA-G molecules are also found in airway epithelium of patients with allergic asthma and high levels of sHLA-G molecules are detectable in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage of asthmatic patients correlating with allergen-specific IgE levels. Finally, HLA-G molecules are expressed by T cells, monocytes-macrophages, and Langerhans cells infiltrating the dermis of atopic dermatitis patients. Collectively, although at present it is difficult to completely define the role of HLA-G molecules in allergic diseases, it may be suggested that they are expressed and secreted by immune cells during the allergic reaction in an attempt to suppress allergic inflammation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / metabolism
  • Asthma / therapy
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / genetics
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / metabolism
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / therapy
  • Female
  • HLA-G Antigens / chemistry
  • HLA-G Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-G Antigens / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / genetics*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Hypersensitivity / metabolism
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Pregnancy
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Rhinitis, Allergic / genetics
  • Rhinitis, Allergic / immunology
  • Rhinitis, Allergic / metabolism
  • Rhinitis, Allergic / therapy

Substances

  • Allergens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Protein Isoforms