Human Leukocyte Antigen-G and Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G), a non-classical MHC I protein, plays an essential role in immune tolerance and is associated with a lower incidence of graft rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). To examine the pattern of HLA-G expression post-transplantation we determined that HLA-G can be up-regulated in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) following exposure to everolimus. We also determined that HLA-G at 500 and 1000 ng/ml reduces SMC proliferation. In further studies, treatment with HLA-G inhibited TNF -stimulated neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs) at all concentrations tested (0.1-1 ng/ml), suggesting a role in inflammation. The expression of HLA-G is influenced by a polymorphism in the HLA-G gene. We sought to determine if the 14bp insertion/deletion polymorphism can predict the development of CAV. There was no association between this polymorphism and CAV; however, this study had a small number of patients; therefore further investigations are needed to confirm these findings.

Autorentext

Amelia G. Mociornita, BScN, MSc: Studied Nursing at Ryerson University and graduated with Honors. Worked for 6 years in clinical research at University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Obtained her Master of Science degree from the University of Toronto with a major in Cardiovascular Sciences. Currently working in the pharmaceutical industry.