Role of HLA-G 14bp deletion/insertion and +3142C>G polymorphisms in the production of sHLA-G molecules in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

HLA-G is believed to act as an anti-inflammatory molecule in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The 3' untranslated region of the HLA-G gene is characterized by two polymorphisms, DEL/INS14bp and +3142C>G, which control soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) production. The influence of these two HLA-G variants on sHLA-G serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels was investigated in 69 Relapsing-Remitting MS patients grouped in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inactive and active disease. Serum and CSF sHLA-G levels were more elevated in high than in low DEL/INS 14bp and +3142C>G sHLA-G producers and were different among the various combined HLA-G genotypes in both MRI inactive and active diseases. The highest and the lowest sHLA-G values were identified in MS patients with C/C,DEL/DEL and G/G,INS/INS genotypes, respectively. Our preliminary findings suggest that serum and CSF sHLA-G levels in MS could be influenced by HLA-G polymorphisms irrespective of the inflammatory microenvironment. © 2012 American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics.