[Histocompatibility HLA system of man. Considerations in the light of current concepts. VI. HLA-G antigen polymorphism]

Abstract

The results of hitherto researches over gene products of HLA-G locus, i.e. membrane bound forms (M*HLA-G) and soluble forms (S*HLA-G) were verified. Current opinions connected with synthesis and molecular organisation of five HLA-G isoformic molecules (HLA-G1, -G2, -G3, -G4, -G5) were presented. The polymorphism of HLA-G gene and its expression were qualified. Special attention has been turned on presumably significant function of HLA-G in maintenance of maternal-placenta immunological tolerance, binding of monomeric peptides, and antigens presentation, taking into consideration cytomegaloviruses (CMV). In spite of significant progress in the understanding of mutual relationship between mother and placenta many phenomena with participation of HLA-G gene products, especially in pathological conditions, are still unknown.