In 1987, Orr and Geraghty discovered a new human HLA gene which encoded
a non-polymorphic histocompatibility antigen:
D.E. Geraghty, B.H. Koller & H.T. Orr (1987). A human major
histocompatibility complex class I gene that encodes a protein
with a shortened cytoplasmic segment.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 9145-9149.
It was later shown that this gene encoded a histocompatibility antigen
called HLA-G, which was absent from most cells in the body, including
lymphocytes, but was expressed apparently only on placental
trophoblasts:
Kovats S. Main EK. Librach C. Stubblebine M. Fisher SJ. DeMars R.
A class I antigen, HLA-G, expressed in human trophoblasts.
Science. 248(4952):220-3, 1990 Apr 13.
The general idea of the role of this unique non-classical MHC molecule
involves a function in making the placental trophoblast, genetically the
same as the fetus, invisible to the maternal immune system, so that the
fetal-placental unit can survive as an allograft. Schmidt and Orr have
recently reviewed these ideas:
C. M. Schmidt & H. T. Orr. (1993). Maternal/fetal interactions: the
role of the MHC class I molecule HLA-G.
Crit Rev Immunol 13: 207-224.
Does anyone know what the mouse homolog of HLA-G is? Qa? Please
provide a reference!
Thanks.
Anton Scott Goustin, Ph.D.
Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan 48202-3917 USA
asg at cmb.biosci.wayne.edu
