The Role of HLA-Class Ib Molecules in Immune-Related Diseases, Tumors, and Infections
1Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
2Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Arcispedale Sant’Anna, Ferrara, Italy
3Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
4Laboratoire d’Immunologie de la TransplantationCEA-DSV-IMETI-SRHI, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
The Role of HLA-Class Ib Molecules in Immune-Related Diseases, Tumors, and Infections
Description
HLA-class Ib family includes HLA-E, -F, -G, and -H molecules that, in contrast with high polymorphic HLA-class Ia molecules (HLA-A, -B, and -C), display a limited polymorphism, with a small number of alleles encoding limited functional proteins. Similar to HLA-class Ia molecules, HLA-class Ib molecules bind peptides generated from cytosolic antigens and present them to CD8+ T lymphocytes, but their main function is the regulation of immune responses, both in physiological and pathological conditions.
HLA-G is the best characterized HLA-Ib molecule. It is expressed on fetal cytotrophoblast cells during pregnancy and abrogates maternal NK cell cytotoxicity against fetal tissues. However, HLA-G is also expressed (or released as soluble molecule) by different human tumors. HLA-G interacts with specific receptors on T and B lymphocytes, NK cells, and antigen presenting cells, inhibiting their function.
HLA-E is virtually expressed by all nucleated cells and binds peptides derived from HLA-class I molecules leader sequence. In physiological conditions, it interacts with CD94/NKG2A inhibitory receptor on NK cells, inhibiting their cytotoxicity against cells displaying normal HLA-class I molecules expression. When such molecules are downregulated (i.e., transformed or infected cells), HLA-class I-derived peptides are lower, and subsequently HLA-E expression is dampened, allowing NK cells to lyse these cells. However, different transformed cells upregulate HLA-E expression to avoid NK cell-mediated lysis.
Limited information is available regarding HLA-F function. This molecule acts as chaperone for the β2-microglobulin-free heavy chain of other HLA-class I molecules, and it is expressed on the surface of activated lymphocytes. So far, no functional HLA-H molecules encoded by HLA-H genes have been characterized.We are interested in articles that explore novel aspects of HLA-Ib molecules function. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Expression and function of HLA-Ib molecules in pathological conditions that have not yet been investigated, including tumors, infections (virus, bacteria, and other parasites), and autoimmune/inflammatory diseases
- Interactions between HLA-G, -E, and -F in pathological conditions
- Novel mechanism of HLA-Ib molecule-mediated immune regulation
- Possible effects of HLA-Ib molecules on cells that are crucial in pathological settings (i.e., endothelial cells during angiogenesis)
- Presence of soluble HLA-Ib molecules in biological fluids during disease and their clinical relevance
- HLA-Ib molecules expression and/or secretion in novel immune-regulatory cell subsets
- Potential extraimmunological roles of HLA-Ib molecules
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