title: Secretion of sHLA-G molecules in malignancies.
abstract: Our clinical studies revealed significantly increased soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) plasma levels in patients suffering from malignant melanoma, glioma, breast and ovarian cancer. Specific ELISpot assays demonstrate that sHLA-G molecules expressing intron-4 sequences are preferentially secreted by peripheral blood monocytes. In vitro, the sHLA-G secretion of monocytes and tumor cells was strongly enhanced by TH1 cytokines like IFN-alpha, -beta, -gamma whereas TH2 cytokines (e.g. IL-4, -10) had minor effects. As sHLA-G can inhibit the functions of T and NK cells high concentration of these molecules should systemically or at the tumor side reduce the immune surveillance and thus favour the progression of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Virchowstr 171, D-45122 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rebmann
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Regel
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stolke
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grosse-Wilde
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I