Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G molecule, a non-classical HLA-Ib molecule, is less polymorphic when compared to classical HLA class I molecules. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) was first detected on cytotrophoblast cells at the feto-maternal interface but its expression is prevalent during viral infections and several autoimmune diseases. HLA-G gene is characterized by polymorphisms at the 3′ un-translated region and 5′ upstream regulatory region that regulate its expression and are associated with autoimmune diseases and viral infection susceptibility, creating an unbalanced and pathologic environment. This review focuses on the role of HLA-G genetic polymorphisms, mRNA, and protein expression in autoimmune conditions and viral infections.
Highlights
Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is a functional molecule belonging to class Ib human leukocyte antigens (HLA) characterized by a non-covalent link between β2-microglobulin (β2m) and glycoprotein heavy chain
This review aims to focus on the key role of HLA-G molecules in autoimmune diseases and viral infections
The data summarized suggest that HLA-G may have a crucial role in the creation of an impaired immune response that characterizes these pathological conditions
Summary
Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is a functional molecule belonging to class Ib human leukocyte antigens (HLA) characterized by a non-covalent link between β2-microglobulin (β2m) and glycoprotein heavy chain. Two polymorphisms at the 3 UTR: a deletion/insertion (DEL/INS) of 14 base pairs (14bp) polymorphism (rs371194629) and a C > G single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the +3142bp position (rs1063320) [7] (Figure 1) are able to affect mRNA stability in vivo and protein production and implicated in pathological conditions: 14bpINS allele is associated with mRNA instability [8, 9]; +3142G allele creates a binding site for three microRNAs (miRNAs) (miR-148a, miR-148b, and miR-152) reducing soluble protein production [10] These observations suggest that 14bpINS/INS and +3142G/G genotypes are associated with a lower HLA-G production than 14bpDEL/INS and DEL/DEL, +3142C/G, and C/C genotypes [8, 10]
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