Soluble HLA-G molecules are increased in lymphoproliferative disorders

Hum Immunol. 2003 Nov;64(11):1093-101. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2003.08.345.

Abstract

The immunomodulatory properties of soluble human leukocyte antigen G (sHLA-G) explain its potential interest in malignancies. HLA-G frequently transcribed in lymphoproliferative disorders is rarely expressed at cell surface. In this article, we will demonstrate that the plasmatic level of soluble HLA-G was significantly increased in 70% of B chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 53% of non-Hodgkin B lymphoma (B-NHL), and 45% of T-NHL. To explain this variable secretion, the HLA-G secreting cell was searched and was identified as tumoral T4 lymphocytes only in one patient with Sezary syndrome. To approach the mechanisms involved in sHLA-G secretion, the potential role of cytokines has been studied in vitro on T lymphomas. A significant increase of sHLA-G level is observed after activation by cytokines associated with a small increase in the quantity of transcripts using real-time polymerase chain reaction, suggesting an involvement of both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Western Blot analysis reveals no evident variation of the protein expression whatever the conditions, suggesting a continuous secretion and a low intracellular storage. The frequency of the sHLA-G secretion associated to its inhibiting role on T cells and natural killer cells during tumoral lymphoid malignancies suggests a potential role of these molecules as escape mechanism from antitumoral response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / pharmacology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HLA Antigens / blood*
  • HLA Antigens / genetics
  • HLA Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / blood*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / immunology*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / immunology*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sezary Syndrome / immunology
  • Solubility
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Tumor Escape*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cytokines
  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • RNA, Messenger