HLA-G expression in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine HLA-G expression in skin biopsies from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and its association with epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory variables and survival.


METHODS
Paraffin-embedded skin biopsies obtained from 21 SSc patients (14 limited SSc, 7 diffuse SSc) and from 28 healthy controls were studied. HLA-G expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
HLA-G molecules were detected in 57% of skin biopsies from patients with SSc (9 from limited SSc, 3 from diffuse SSc), whereas no control sample expressed HLA-G (p=0.000004). In patients, HLA-G molecules were consistently observed within epidermal and some dermal cells. HLA-G expression was associated with a lower frequency of vascular cutaneous ulcers (p=0.0004), telangiectasias (p=0.008), and inflammatory polyarthralgia (p=0.02). After a 15-year followup, SSc patients who exhibited HLA-G survived longer than patients who did not.


CONCLUSIONS
HLA-G is expressed in skin biopsies from patients with SSc, and this is associated with a better disease prognosis. This suggests a modulatory role of HLA-G in SSc, as observed in other skin disorders.
Program of Basic and Applied Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. wastowski@usp.br
Isabela J
IJ
Wastowski
Percival D
PD
Sampaio-Barros
Eliane M I
EM
Amstalden
Gustavo Martelli
GM
Palomino
João Francisco
JF
Marques-Neto
Janaina C O
JC
Crispim
Ana C
AC
Biral
Diane M
DM
Rassi
Edgardo D
ED
Carosella
Philippe
P
Moreau
Eduardo A
EA
Donadi
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I