A novel allele, HLA-G*010114, with a non-coding DNA base change in exon 2

Identification of HLA-G*01:17, a new allele possibly generated by an interloci gene conversion event involving exon 3 of HLA-B

HLA-G*01:17 was discovered in a woman of Kenyan descent who was enrolled in a mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission cohort. The new allele was identical to HLA-G*01:06 at exons 2, 3, and 4 with the exception of a base pair substitution at codon 169 (CAC → CGC) resulting in a coding change from histidine to arginine and codon 171 (TAC → CAC), resulting in turn in a coding change from tyrosine to histidine. The World Health Organization (WHO) Nomenclature Committee has named this allele HLA-G*01:17.

Human leukocyte antigen-G polymorphism in relation to expression, function, and disease

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a nonclassical class Ib molecule belonging to the major histocompatibility complex. HLA-G appears to play a role in the suppression of immune responses and contribute to long-term immune escape or tolerance. The focus of this review is polymorphism in the HLA-G gene and protein and its possible importance in expression, function, and disease associations.

[Importance of HLA-G in therapy of cancer]

HLA-G (Human Leucocyte Antigen-G) is a non-classical HLA class I molecule observed for the first time in human cytotrophoblast. Numbers of investigations have demonstrated that HLA-G was broader than originally thought. In fact, it is expressed in pathological contexts as well as in physiological contexts. This expression of HLA-G and its receptors in immunity cells confer to it a major role in immune responses. Good issues were described in organ transplantation when HLA-G was expressed. But, HLA-G transcripts and/or proteins expression in tumor tissues was associated with tumor genesis and cancer progression. A focus on the expression and the role of HLA-G in tumor context will be developed in this review. In addition, regulation of HLA-G will be treated to improve strategies of cancer therapy.