Review in translational hematology Beyond the increasing complexity of the immunomodulatory HLA-G molecule

Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a nonclassic major histocompatibility com-plex (MHC) class I molecule that func-tions as an immunomodulatory molecule capable of protecting fetal tissues from the maternal immune system. The rel-evance of HLA-G in other contexts was investigated soon afterward. Numerous studies have sought (and some have shown) the relevance of HLA-G in patho-logic conditions, such as transplantation, autoimmunity, and cancer and hemato-logic malignancies. One of the main goals of the current research on HLA-G is now to use it in the clinic, either for diagnosis or as a therapeutic tool/target. For this, precise knowledge on the nature and functions of HLA-G is critical. We high-light here what we consider are recent key basic findings on the immunomodula-tory function of HLA-G. These strengthen the case for considering HLA-G as clini-cally relevant. (Blood. 2008;111:4862-4870) © 2008 by The American Society of Hematolog