HLA-G dimers in the prolongation of kidney allograft survival

Human leukocyte antigen-g (hla-g) contributes to acceptance of allografts in solid organ/tissue transplantation. most studies have determined that soluble hla-g isoforms are systematically detected in serum/plasma of transplanted patients with significantly fewer episodes of acute and/or chronic rejection of allogeneic tissue/organ. current models of the interactions of hla-g and its specific receptors explain it as functioning in a monomeric form. however,in recent years,new data has revealed the ability of hla-g to form disulfide-linked dimeric complexes with high preferential binding and functional activities. limited data are available on the role of soluble hla-g dimers in clinical pathological conditions. we describe here the presence of soluble hla-g dimers in kidney transplant patients. our study showed that a high level of hla-g dimers in plasma and increased expression of the membrane-bound form of hla-g on monocytes are associated with prolongation of kidney allograft survival. we also determined that the presence of soluble hla-g dimers links to the lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines,suggesting a potential role of hla-g dimers in controlling the accompanying inflammatory state. © 2014 maureen ezeakile et al.