Human leucocyte antigen class Ib molecules in pregnancy success and early pregnancy loss

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 -