Viewpoint on the functionality of the human leukocyte antigen-G null allele at the fetal-maternal interface

Biol Reprod. 2002 Nov;67(5):1375-8. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.102.005439.

Abstract

The description of healthy individuals homozygous for the human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) null allele raised doubts about the role of HLA-G in fetal-maternal tolerance. In light of recent results, we discuss this point by considering the potential activity of this null allele that might, indeed, produce functional truncated HLA-G molecules. In this context, we have recently described that, like the full-length HLA-G1, the HLA-G2, -G3, and -G4 truncated isoforms may be expressed at the cell surface and may modulate both innate and acquired immune responses.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alleles*
  • Female
  • HLA Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA Antigens / immunology
  • HLA Antigens / metabolism
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange / immunology*
  • Pregnancy / immunology*
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / immunology
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Trophoblasts / immunology

Substances

  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Protein Isoforms