title: Increased plasma soluble human leukocyte antigen-G in persistent wheezy infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex class I antigen characterized by limited polymorphism in its coding region, unique tissue expression pattern in physiologic conditions and immunomodulatory properties. Recently, the level of soluble (s)HLA-G was found to be higher in atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis, but this remains to be clarified in wheezy infants. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate sHLA-G in wheezy infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects consisted of infants with persistent wheezing and positive modified asthma predictive index (mAPI; n = 30; persistent group) and those with transient wheezing and negative mAPI (n = 17; transient group). sHLA-G was measured in plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophil count were measured, and skin testing was performed with a battery of 13 antigens with appropriate positive and negative controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  sHLA-G was significantly higher in the persistent wheezing (positive mAPI) group compared with the transient wheezing (negative mAPI) group (P = 0.008). There was no significant difference in peripheral blood eosinophil count and total IgE between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased sHLA-G in infants with persistent wheeze suggests that sHLA-G may be able to be used to distinguish persistent from transient wheeze. Further comprehensive studies are needed on this topic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Allergy, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fulya
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Allergy, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eke Gungor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Allergy, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Himmet Haluk
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Akar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Berkay
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saraymen
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D059951:HLA-G Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D059951:HLA-G Antigens
keywords: asthma; children; persistent wheeze; soluble human leukocyte antigen G