Abstract

BRENOL, Claiton Viegas; VEIT, Tiago Degani; CHIES, José Artur Bogo  and  XAVIER, Ricardo Machado. The role of the HLA-G gene and molecule on the clinical expression of rheumatologic diseases. Rev. Bras. Reumatol. [online]. 2012, vol.52, n.1, pp. 82-91. ISSN 0482-5004.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0482-50042012000100009.

Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classic class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule characterized by low polymorphism in its coding region, a limited tissue distribution pattern in physiologic conditions, and expression through soluble isoforms and isoforms bound to surface membranes through alternative splicing. HLA-G is fairly known since it is involved in induction and maintenance of tolerance between the maternal immunologic system and the semi-allogeneic fetus at the level of the fetal-placental interface. Besides, several studies have indicated a wider immunoregulatory role of this molecule. In this context, the expression of HLA-G in inflammatory and rheumatologic diseases is a relatively recent research area. The first studies described the expression of HLA-G in several inflammatory myopathies, atopic dermatitis, and cutaneous psoriasis. Based on the findings that HLA-G could divert T helper responses to the Th2 type, it was hypothesized that HLA-G would be a protective molecule in inflammatory responses. In this article, we review the potential roles of the HLA-G molecule in the immune system and in several rheumatologic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and others

Keywords : HLA antigens; rheumatologic diseases; genetic polymorphism.