title: Beyond the increasing complexity of the immunomodulatory HLA-G molecule.
abstract: Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a nonclassic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule that functions as an immunomodulatory molecule capable of protecting fetal tissues from the maternal immune system. The relevance of HLA-G in other contexts was investigated soon afterward. Numerous studies have sought (and some have shown) the relevance of HLA-G in pathologic conditions, such as transplantation, autoimmunity, and cancer and hematologic malignancies. One of the main goals of the current research on HLA-G is now to use it in the clinic, either for diagnosis or as a therapeutic tool/target. For this, precise knowledge on the nature and functions of HLA-G is critical. We highlight here what we consider are recent key basic findings on the immunomodulatory function of HLA-G. These strengthen the case for considering HLA-G as clinically relevant.
authors.affiliation: CEA, IBM, Service de Recherches en Hemato-Immunologie, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Edgardo D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Carosella
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Favier
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rouas-Freiss
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lemaoult
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic