title: Soluble HLA-G in pregnancies complicated by autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
abstract: Autoimmune rheumatic diseases in pregnancies are associated with increased adverse obstetric outcomes. We compared maternal soluble human leucocyte antigen-G (sHLA-G) blood levels in subjects with a rheumatic disease preexisting pregnancy and unaffected controls. Third-trimester blood maternal sHLA-G concentrations were significantly higher in subjects with rheumatic diseases than in controls (mean 93.1ng/ml [SD 42.1] vs 58.1ng/ml [SD 96.3], p=0.003). Cord blood sHLA-G concentrations were significantly higher in rheumatic disease than in those born to control mothers (median 41.2ng/ml [IQR: 3.3-44.0] vs 17.9ng/ml [IQR: 17.2-88.1], p=0.007). A strict positive correlation (r=0.88, p<0.001) was found between the maternal and fetal titers of ANA autoantibodies as well as between maternal and fetal sHLAG circulating levels (r=0.58 and r=0.67, respectively, for controls and cases, p<0.001). Maternal s-HLA-G blood concentrations were significantly higher in subjects with rheumatic disease DEL/DEL homozygous for a polymorphism of the 3' untranslated regulatory region of HLA-G (HLA-G 14bp) than in the corresponding healthy controls (mean values 141.5ng/ml [SD: 166] vs 54.2ng/ml [SD: 35], p=0.009). Increasing maternal and cord blood levels of s-HLA-G concentrations among pregnant subjects with rheumatic diseases compared with controls suggest that autoimmune diseases prompt a maternal and fetal immune response that favors pregnancy immune tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fausta
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beneventi
authors.affiliation: Immunogenetics Laboratory, Immunohematology and Transfusion Center, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Badulli
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. Electronic address: elena.loc@libero.it.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Locatelli
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caporali
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavagnoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simonetta
authors.affiliation: Immunogenetics Laboratory, Immunohematology and Transfusion Center, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garbin
authors.affiliation: Clinical Epidemiology and Biometric Unit, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tinelli
authors.affiliation: Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alpini
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: CarloMaurizio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montecucco
authors.affiliation: Immunogenetics Laboratory, Immunohematology and Transfusion Center, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Miryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Arsenio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spinillo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D059951:HLA-G Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011247:Pregnancy; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D059951:HLA-G Antigens
keywords: Pregnancy; Rheumatic diseases; Soluble HLA-G