title: Role of human leukocyte antigen-G 14-base pair polymorphism in kidney transplantation outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Both the membrane-bound and soluble forms of human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) molecules exhibit a multitude of immunomodulatory properties that can potentially obviate or delay graft rejection. The 14-base pair (14-bp) polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of the HLA-G gene is thought to have a role in soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we retrospectively investigated a large cohort of 418 kidney transplant recipients with the aim of establishing whether the HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism could serve as an effective genetic risk marker for acute and/or chronic deterioration of transplanted kidney function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant higher incidence of chronic kidney dysfunction leading to allograft loss was observed in transplant recipients homozygous for the HLA-G 14-bp deletion polymorphism. This difference increased over time and was confirmed by progressive decline in the glomerular filtration rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that alongside other factors previously consolidated in clinical practice, recipient HLA-G 14-bp genotype may serve as an adjuvant independent predictor of long-term outcome of kidney transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Regional Government Reference Center for Organ, Tissue and Cell Transplantation, R. Binaghi Hospital - ASL 8, Cagliari - Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Littera
authors.forename: Gianbenedetto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piredda
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pani
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frongia
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Onano
authors.forename: Maria Benigna
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Michittu
authors.forename: Maria Gavina
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Murgia
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alba
authors.forename: Maria Donatella
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Valentini
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loi
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caocci
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orrù
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Nasa
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carcassi
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000235:genetics*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D005819:Genetic Markers; D059951:HLA-G Antigens