title: The role of HLA-G in human pregnancy.
abstract: Pregnancy in mammals featuring hemochorial placentation introduces a major conflict with the mother's immune system, which is dedicated to repelling invaders bearing foreign DNA and RNA. Numerous and highly sophisticated strategies for preventing mothers from rejecting their genetically different fetus(es) have now been identified. These involve production of novel soluble and membrane-bound molecules by uterine and placental cells. In humans, the placenta-derived molecules include glycoproteins derived from the HLA class Ib gene, HLA-G. Isoforms of HLA-G saturate the maternal-fetal interface and circulate in mothers throughout pregnancy. Uteroplacental immune privilege for the fetus and its associated tissues is believed to result when immune cells encounter HLA-G. Unequivocally demonstration of this concept requires experiments in animal models. Both the monkey and the baboon express molecules that are similar but not identical to HLA-G, and may comprise suitable animal models for establishing a central role for these proteins in pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. jhunt@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Joan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Daudi K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Langat
authors.forename: Ramsey H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: McIntire
authors.forename: Pedro J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology; D010215:Papio / Q000235:genetics; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D010100:Oxygen