title: The immunosuppressive molecule HLA-G and its clinical implications.
abstract: Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule that, through interaction with its receptors, exerts important tolerogenic functions. Its main physiological expression occurs in placenta where it seems to participate in the maternal tolerance toward the fetus. HLA-G has been studied as a marker of pregnancy complications such as abortion or pre-eclapmsia. Although HLA-G is not expressed in most adult tissues, its ectopic expression has been observed in some diseases such as viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and especially cancer. HLA-G neo-expression in cancer is associated with the capability of tumor cells to evade the immune control. In this review, we will summarize HLA-G biology and how it participates in these physiopathological processes. Special attention will be paid to its role as a diagnostic tool and also as a therapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University Clinic of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. agonzaleh@unav.es
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rebmann
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: LeMaoult
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: Edgardo D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Carosella
authors.forename: Estibaliz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alegre
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing / Q000235:genetics*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D040461:Gene Components; D059951:HLA-G Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic