Vol 3, No 4 (2012)
Review paper
Published online: 2013-01-16
The role of human leukocyte antigen G in immunological mechanisms and its clinical implication
Hematologia 2012;3(4):327-342.
Abstract
The human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) molecule exibitis limited tissue distribution, low
polymorphism and alternative splicings that generate seven HLA-G isoforms. HLA-G exerts
multiple immunoregulatory functions. With respect to the clinical context, HLA-G may play
opposite roles. It is beneficial in pregnancy, transplantation, or autoimmune diseases, in
which it acts by turning down immune reaction against fetus, allograft, or self components.
However, HLA-G becomes deleterious in cancer and viral infection by permitting escape from
antitumor or antiviral immunosurveillance, respectively. We here review the biology and
function of HLA-G in health and sickness with emphasis on the clinical implication of HLA-G
expression.
polymorphism and alternative splicings that generate seven HLA-G isoforms. HLA-G exerts
multiple immunoregulatory functions. With respect to the clinical context, HLA-G may play
opposite roles. It is beneficial in pregnancy, transplantation, or autoimmune diseases, in
which it acts by turning down immune reaction against fetus, allograft, or self components.
However, HLA-G becomes deleterious in cancer and viral infection by permitting escape from
antitumor or antiviral immunosurveillance, respectively. We here review the biology and
function of HLA-G in health and sickness with emphasis on the clinical implication of HLA-G
expression.
Keywords: human leukocyte antigen Gpolymorphismexpressionimmunosuppressioncancer
