Induction of both membrane-bound and soluble HLA-G expression in active human cytomegalovirus infection.
BACKGROUND
Alteration of HLA expression or cytokine production plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. HLA-G has been suggested to be involved in HCMV infection, and modulation of HLA-G expression by interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-10 has been reported. However, the clinical relevance of HLA-G in HCMV infection remains unknown.


METHODS
The study included 75 patients with active HCMV infection (age range, 1-4.5 years) and 150 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects (age range, 1-5 years). HLA-G expression in peripheral monocytes from patients (n=38) and control subjects (n=20) was analyzed using flow cytometry. Plasma levels of soluble HLA-G (in 75 patients and 150 control subjects), IL-10 (in 75 patients and 40 control subjects), and IFN-gamma (in 75 patients and 40 control subjects) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The mean percentage of HLA-G-positive monocytes among patients with active HCMV infection was dramatically increased, compared with that among healthy control subjects (6.33% vs 1.64%; P<.001). Similarly, significant increases were observed in soluble HLA-G level (median, 54.91 vs 21.32 U/mL; P<.001) and IL-10 level (median, 9.24 vs 1.82 ng/mL; P<.001). Although the expression of IFN-gamma was higher in patients with active HCMV infection than in healthy control subjects, the difference was not statistically significant (median, 1254.46 vs 887.05 ng/mL; P=.070). Furthermore, no correlation was established between HLA-G expression and levels of IL-10 or IFN-gamma.


CONCLUSIONS
HLA-G expression in monocytes and plasma soluble HLA-G and IL-10 levels were increased during active HCMV infection.
Yan
Wei-Hua
WH
Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical College, Linhai, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. yanwhcom@yahoo.com
Lin
Aifen
A
Chen
Bao-Guo
BG
Chen
Shi-Yong
SY
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma