The 14-bp deletion in the HLA-G gene indicates a low risk for acute cellular rejection in heart transplant recipients
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Twito, Tal; Joseph, Jemy; Mociornita, Amelia; Rao, Vivek; Ross, Heather; Delgado, Diego H.
- Source
- Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation. Jul2011, Vol. 30 Issue 7, p778-782. 5p.
- Subject
- *HLA histocompatibility antigens
*GRAFT rejection
*HEART cells
*HEART transplant recipients
*IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE agents
*GENETIC polymorphisms
*GENE expression
- Language
- ISSN
- 1053-2498
Background: Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classical Ib molecule in the major histocompatibility complex. HLA-G has important immunosuppressive properties, and in the context of cardiac transplantation, is associated with a low risk of cellular rejection. A 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in exon 8 of the HLA-G gene is associated with messenger RNA (mRNA) stability and expression of HLA-G. This study analyzed the relationship between HLA-G polymorphisms and serum HLA-G levels in patients after cardiac transplantation to determine if any specific HLA-G genotype is associated with cellular rejection. Methods: Ninety-four heart transplant patients were genotyped for the 14-bp polymorphism. Serum HLA-G levels and cellular rejection grades were evaluated in all patients. Results: The 14-bp polymorphism was significantly associated with serum HLA-G expression. Patients with the –14-bp/–14-bp genotype had significantly higher mean serum HLA-G levels (88.2 U/ml) than those patients with the +14-bp/–14-bp (52.8 U/ml) and +14-bp/+14-bp (32.2 U/ml) genotypes (p = 0.004). The –14 bp/–14-bp genotype was significantly associated with fewer episodes of cellular rejection. Conclusions: This study suggests that the 14-bp deletion in the HLA-G gene plays an important role in the expression of HLA-G and thus might be a clinically useful genetic indicator for cellular rejection risk after cardiac transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]