Natural killer cells are the unique lymphocyte cell subset which do not express HLA-G.
In order to better understand the immunological functions of the HLA-G gene, expression of this gene has been studied with RT-PCR in human functional lymphocyte subpopulations. Only one population of cells has not shown any HLA-G mRNA expression, the BY55-mAb-defined natural killer cells in cord blood. This absence of transcription was not modulated by IL2, IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha. Several T clone lymphocytes isolated from human peripheral blood, bone marrow or thymus have shown a significant transcription of the HLA-G gene. Only one clone, with a natural killer phenotype, did not reveal full length or alternatively spliced transcripts of HLA-G. Intensity of HLA-G transcription was not affected by TNF-alpha, IL13 or IL4, but HLA-G transcripts appeared more abundant in the presence than in the absence of IL2.
Teyssier
M
M
Service de Recherches en HématoImmunologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
Bensussan
A
A
Kirszenbaum
M
M
Moreau
P
P
Gluckman
E
E
Dausset
J
J
Carosella
E
E
D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000276:immunology
D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D012333:RNA, Messenger