title: Plasma soluble human leukocyte antigen G levels in asthmatic children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex class I gene. HLA-G stimulates Th2 cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The role of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in bronchial asthma is incompletely understood and the plasma level of sHLA-G in asthmatic children has not been investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  It was the aim of this study to investigate the plasma level of sHLA-G in asthmatic children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Asthmatic (n = 53) and healthy children (n = 16) were included in the study. Levels of sHLA-G were determined in plasma using ELISA. Spirometry, total immunoglobulin E and eosinophil counts were obtained and skin testing done with a battery of 25 antigens with appropriate positive and negative controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was observed in the plasma level of sHLA-G between the asthmatic and healthy children (p > 0.05). When we compared atopic asthmatics with healthy controls, we found significantly higher levels of sHLA-G in atopic asthmatics (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the peripheral blood eosinophil counts and total immunoglobulin E levels among the groups (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows that plasma sHLA-G levels do not differ between asthmatic children and healthy controls. However, higher plasma levels of sHLA-G in atopic asthmatics may suggest a role for sHLA-G in atopy. Further investigations are required to better define the mechanism of the production and the role of sHLA-G molecules observed in patients with asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Allergy, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fulya
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tahan
authors.forename: Turkan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Patiroglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I