title: The role of the HLA-G gene and molecule on the clinical expression of rheumatologic diseases.
abstract: Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classic class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule characterized by low polymorphism in its coding region, a limited tissue distribution pattern in physiologic conditions, and expression through soluble isoforms and isoforms bound to surface membranes through alternative splicing. HLA-G is fairly known since it is involved in induction and maintenance of tolerance between the maternal immunologic system and the semi-allogeneic fetus at the level of the fetal-placental interface. Besides, several studies have indicated a wider immunoregulatory role of this molecule. In this context, the expression of HLA-G in inflammatory and rheumatologic diseases is a relatively recent research area. The first studies described the expression of HLA-G in several inflammatory myopathies, atopic dermatitis, and cutaneous psoriasis. Based on the findings that HLA-G could divert T helper responses to the Th2 type, it was hypothesized that HLA-G would be a protective molecule in inflammatory responses. In this article, we review the potential roles of the HLA-G molecule in the immune system and in several rheumatologic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and others.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS. claiton.brenol@gmail.com
authors.forename: Claiton Viegas
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Brenol
authors.forename: Tiago Degani
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Veit
authors.forename: José Artur Bogo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Chies
authors.forename: Ricardo Machado
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Xavier
mesh_terms: D059951:HLA-G Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D059951:HLA-G Antigens