title: HLA-G and IL-10 in serum in relation to HLA-G genotype and polymorphisms.
abstract: The expression and importance of the non-classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class Ib gene, HLA-G, at the feto-maternal interface have been recognized. The HLA-G molecule is almost monomorphic and expressed in both membrane-bound and soluble isoforms. It has been shown to inhibit NK-mediated cell lysis and influence cytokine expression. Recently, a possible boarder immunoregulatory function of HLA-G also in adult life has been recognized. HLA-G gene polymorphism has been linked to differences in gene expression profile of alternatively spliced HLA-G transcripts and levels of specific HLA-G mRNA isoforms. On this background it is of general interest to further elucidate any associations between HLA-G polymorphism and protein expression. We have HLA-G genotyped 85 individuals attending IVF treatment, and further studied sHLA-G1/HLA-G5 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum samples. In 21% of the serum samples sHLA-G1/HLA-G5 could be detected. There was no correlation between sHLA-G1/HLA-G5 and IL-10 concentrations in serum. Soluble HLA-G1/HLA-G5 was not detected in any samples homozygous for a 14-bp insertion polymorphism in exon 8 of the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of the HLA-G gene ( P=0.03; Fisher's exact test). Polymorphisms in the 5'-upstream regulatory region (5'URR) of the HLA-G gene were also studied. In conclusion, this study indicates that polymorphisms in the 3'UTR and the 5'URR of the HLA-G gene may influence the expression of sHLA-G of possible importance in pathological pregnancies and also in organ transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. hviid@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Thomas Vauvert F
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Hviid
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Ole B
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Melchiorri
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lindhard
authors.forename: Olavio R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Baricordi
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D017384:Sequence Deletion
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D016753:Interleukin-10