Role of HLA-G and other immune mechanisms in pregnancy

• Published in: Central European journal of biology Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 226 - 239
• Main Authors: Durmanova, Vladimira, Homolova, Monika, Drobny, Juraj, Shawkatova, Ivana, Buc, Milan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2013; SP Versita; Versita; De Gruyter
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Cell Biology; genes; HLA-G; Human Genetics; Immunity; immunologic factors; Immunology; immunosuppression (physiological); Life Sciences; Mini-Review; natural killer cells; Pre-eclampsia; Pregnancy; pregnant women; receptors; Spontaneous abortion; T-lymphocytes; therapeutics; trophoblast; Pregnancy; Pre-eclampsia; Spontaneous abortion; HLA-G; Immunity; Human genetics
• ISSN: 1895-104X; 2391-5412; 1644-3632; 2391-5412
• DOI: 10.2478/s11535-013-0130-4

Pregnancy loss (abortion) and pre-eclampsia represent the most common disorders in pregnant women. Besides infection, there are anatomical, endocrinological, genetic and immunological factors that can induce pregnancy disorders. Because the exact mechanisms of physiological pregnancy maintenance are still not clearly understood, the search for genes and proteins fulfilling this role is still in progress. One of the immune molecules that plays a beneficial role in pregnancy is the nonclassical HLA-G molecule. The molecule is mainly expressed on trophoblast cells in the foetal placenta and induces the immune tolerance of the foetus via its interaction with inhibitory receptors on maternal NK cells and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. In relation to pregnancy disorders, associations between HLA-G polymorphism, HLA-G level and HLA-G function were described. Thus, the HLA-G molecule can be used as a new diagnostic marker and, potentially, for the future therapy of pregnancy disorders.