Immuno-tolerogenic functions of HLA-G: relevance in transplantation and oncology.
Over the past few years, the non-classical HLA class I molecule HLA-G has been the center of intense investigations that have led to the description of its particular structural and functional properties. Although located in the HLA class I region of chromosome six, the HLA-G gene may be distinguished from other HLA class I genes by its low polymorphism and alternative splicing that generates seven HLA-G proteins, whose tissue-distribution is restricted to normal fetal and adult tissues that display a tolerogeneic function towards both innate and acquired immune cells. We review here the functions of HLA-G from an immunological stand point, focusing on the recent advances in this field and on their potential impact in human pathologies, such as cancer and organ transplantation.
LeMaoult
Joël
J
Service de Recherches en Hémato-Immunologie, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique-DSV-DRM, Hôpital Saint Louis, 1, Avenue Claude Vellefaux 75010, Paris.
Rouas-Freiss
Nathalie
N
Carosella
Edgardo D
ED
D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D023001:Transplantation Tolerance / Q000276:immunology
D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I