HLA Class Ib Molecules and Immune Cells in Pregnancy and Preeclampsia

TY - JOUR

T1 - HLA Class Ib Molecules and Immune Cells in Pregnancy and Preeclampsia

AU - Djurisic, Snezana

AU - Hviid, Thomas Vauvert F

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - Despite decades of research, the highly prevalent pregnancy complication preeclampsia, 'the disease of theories', has remained an enigma. Indeed, the etiology of preeclampsia is largely unknown. A compiling amount of studies indicate that the pathological basis involves a complex array of genetic predisposition and immunological maladaptation, and that a contribution from the mother, the father and the fetus is likely to be important. The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) -G is an increasing focus of research in relation to preeclampsia. The HLA-G molecule is primarily expressed by the extravillous trophoblast cells lining the placenta together with the two other HLA class Ib molecules, HLA-E and HLA-F. Soluble isoforms of HLA-G have been detected in the early endometrium, the matured cumulus-oocyte complex, maternal blood of pregnant women, in umbilical cord blood, and lately, in seminal plasma. HLA-G is believed to be involved in modulating immune responses in the context of vascular remodeling during pregnancy as well as in dampening potential harmful immune attacks raised against the semi-allogeneic fetus. In addition, HLA-G genetic variants are associated with both membrane-bound and soluble forms of HLA-G, and, in some studies, with preeclampsia. In this review, a genetic contribution from the mother, the father and the fetus, together with the presence and function of various immune cells of relevance in pregnancy, are reviewed in relation to HLA-G and preeclampsia.

AB - Despite decades of research, the highly prevalent pregnancy complication preeclampsia, 'the disease of theories', has remained an enigma. Indeed, the etiology of preeclampsia is largely unknown. A compiling amount of studies indicate that the pathological basis involves a complex array of genetic predisposition and immunological maladaptation, and that a contribution from the mother, the father and the fetus is likely to be important. The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) -G is an increasing focus of research in relation to preeclampsia. The HLA-G molecule is primarily expressed by the extravillous trophoblast cells lining the placenta together with the two other HLA class Ib molecules, HLA-E and HLA-F. Soluble isoforms of HLA-G have been detected in the early endometrium, the matured cumulus-oocyte complex, maternal blood of pregnant women, in umbilical cord blood, and lately, in seminal plasma. HLA-G is believed to be involved in modulating immune responses in the context of vascular remodeling during pregnancy as well as in dampening potential harmful immune attacks raised against the semi-allogeneic fetus. In addition, HLA-G genetic variants are associated with both membrane-bound and soluble forms of HLA-G, and, in some studies, with preeclampsia. In this review, a genetic contribution from the mother, the father and the fetus, together with the presence and function of various immune cells of relevance in pregnancy, are reviewed in relation to HLA-G and preeclampsia.

KW - Journal Article

KW - Review

U2 - 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00652

DO - 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00652

M3 - Review

C2 - 25566263

SN - 1664-3224

VL - 5

JO - Frontiers in Immunology

JF - Frontiers in Immunology

M1 - 652

ER -