title: The Role of HLA-G Molecule and HLA-G Gene Polymorphisms in Tumors, Viral Hepatitis, and Parasitic Diseases.
abstract: Considering that the non-classical HLA-G molecule has well-recognized tolerogenic properties, HLA-G expression is expected to be deleterious when present in tumor cells and in cells chronically infected by viruses, whereas HLA-G expression is expected to be advantageous in autoimmune disorders. The expression of HLA-G on tissue or peripheral blood cells, the levels of soluble HLA-G and polymorphic sites along the gene have been studied in several disorders. In this study, we revised the role of the molecule and polymorphic sites along the HLA-G gene in tumors, viral hepatitis, and parasitic disorders. Overall, several lines of evidence clearly show that the induction of HLA-G expression in tumors has been associated with worse disease outcome and disease spread. In addition, the few studies conducted on hepatitis and parasitic disorders indicate that HLA-G may contribute to disease pathogenesis. Few isolated polymorphic sites, primarily located at the coding or 3' untranslated HLA-G region, have been evaluated in these disorders, and a complete HLA-G typing together with the study of gene regulatory elements may further help on the understanding of the influence of the genetic background on disease susceptibility.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabrício C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu , Brazil.
authors.forename: Erick C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristhianna V A
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Collares
authors.affiliation: Research Division in Hematology and Immunology, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Saint-Louis Hospital, CEA , Paris , France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Donadi
keywords: HLA-G; parasitic disorders; polymorphism; tumors; viral hepatitis