TY - JOUR
T1 - Human leucocyte antigen class Ib molecules in pregnancy success and early pregnancy loss
AU - Dahl, Mette
AU - Hviid, Thomas Vauvert F
PY - 2012/1
Y1 - 2012/1
N2 - BACKGROUND The human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class Ib molecules, HLA-E, -F and -G, are expressed at the materno-fetal interface. Because of the apparent immunoregulatory functions of these proteins, they may be involved in successful acceptance of the semi-allogenic fetus during pregnancy. METHODS The literature on polymorphisms of the three genes, expression patterns of the proteins, and interactions with immune cell receptors have been evaluated to elucidate whether HLA-E, -F and -G are involved in the pathogenesis of some cases of recurrent miscarriages and unexplained infertility. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The HLA class Ib molecules seem to induce suppression of the maternal immune system, but are not necessarily fundamental factors for pregnancy success. However, evidence points towards low expression of these proteins, especially HLA-G, being associated with reduced fertility. To clarify the functions of HLA-E, -F and -G future studies need to link investigations of the polymorphisms in these genes to measurements of protein levels, and examine the role of these proteins in the complex interplay of immune cells and cytokines at the materno-fetal interface.
AB - BACKGROUND The human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class Ib molecules, HLA-E, -F and -G, are expressed at the materno-fetal interface. Because of the apparent immunoregulatory functions of these proteins, they may be involved in successful acceptance of the semi-allogenic fetus during pregnancy. METHODS The literature on polymorphisms of the three genes, expression patterns of the proteins, and interactions with immune cell receptors have been evaluated to elucidate whether HLA-E, -F and -G are involved in the pathogenesis of some cases of recurrent miscarriages and unexplained infertility. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The HLA class Ib molecules seem to induce suppression of the maternal immune system, but are not necessarily fundamental factors for pregnancy success. However, evidence points towards low expression of these proteins, especially HLA-G, being associated with reduced fertility. To clarify the functions of HLA-E, -F and -G future studies need to link investigations of the polymorphisms in these genes to measurements of protein levels, and examine the role of these proteins in the complex interplay of immune cells and cytokines at the materno-fetal interface.
KW - Abortion, Habitual
KW - Female
KW - Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
KW - Histocompatibility, Maternal-Fetal
KW - Humans
KW - Infertility, Female
KW - Male
KW - Maternal-Fetal Exchange
KW - Models, Immunological
KW - Polymorphism, Genetic
KW - Pregnancy
KW - Pregnancy Outcome
U2 - 10.1093/humupd/dmr043
DO - 10.1093/humupd/dmr043
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 22114131
SN - 1355-4786
VL - 18
SP - 92
EP - 109
JO - Human Reproduction Update
JF - Human Reproduction Update
IS - 1
ER -