Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is an important immune regulator in homeostasis and disease progression. With alternative splicing of the primary transcript, seven isoforms including four-membrane bound (HLA-G1, -G2, -G3, and -G4) and three soluble (HLA-G5, -G6, and -G7) molecules have been acknowledged, and more novel isoforms remain to be validated. Multiple receptors such as (immunoglobulin-like transcripts 2/ILT2, ILT4, KIR2DL4, etc.) have been recognized to interact with HLA-G. Consequently, HLA-G can exert biological functions through receptor interaction and signaling. Cell expressed and intercellular transferred HLA-G and receptor signaling pathway have been observed to be involved in various physiological and pathological conditions, such as benefit fetal-maternal immune tolerance and prolong transplanted grafts acceptance, while impair host immune responses against virally infected cells and malignant cells and enhance the capability of these abnormal cells to escape immune clearance.
Although much progress has been achieved during the past three decades, many aspects of HLA-G are yet to be explored, especially in the molecular mechanisms of immune regulation by different HLA-G isoforms, the clinical significance of heterogeneous of HLA-G expression as well as pre-clinical and clinical evidence of HLA-G functions as an immune checkpoint in cancer therapies.
The goal of this Research Topic is to focus on the latest advances in biological and clinical significance of HLA-G. We welcome submissions of Review, Mini-Review, Opinion, as well as Original Research articles focusing on, but not strictly limited to the following topics:
1. Molecular mechanisms of HLA-G function and receptor interaction, particularly different HLA-G isoforms and polymers
2. Functional roles of HLA-G by intercellular transfer, such as exosome and trogocytosis
3. Clinical significance of HLA-G expression in cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is an important immune regulator in homeostasis and disease progression. With alternative splicing of the primary transcript, seven isoforms including four-membrane bound (HLA-G1, -G2, -G3, and -G4) and three soluble (HLA-G5, -G6, and -G7) molecules have been acknowledged, and more novel isoforms remain to be validated. Multiple receptors such as (immunoglobulin-like transcripts 2/ILT2, ILT4, KIR2DL4, etc.) have been recognized to interact with HLA-G. Consequently, HLA-G can exert biological functions through receptor interaction and signaling. Cell expressed and intercellular transferred HLA-G and receptor signaling pathway have been observed to be involved in various physiological and pathological conditions, such as benefit fetal-maternal immune tolerance and prolong transplanted grafts acceptance, while impair host immune responses against virally infected cells and malignant cells and enhance the capability of these abnormal cells to escape immune clearance.
Although much progress has been achieved during the past three decades, many aspects of HLA-G are yet to be explored, especially in the molecular mechanisms of immune regulation by different HLA-G isoforms, the clinical significance of heterogeneous of HLA-G expression as well as pre-clinical and clinical evidence of HLA-G functions as an immune checkpoint in cancer therapies.
The goal of this Research Topic is to focus on the latest advances in biological and clinical significance of HLA-G. We welcome submissions of Review, Mini-Review, Opinion, as well as Original Research articles focusing on, but not strictly limited to the following topics:
1. Molecular mechanisms of HLA-G function and receptor interaction, particularly different HLA-G isoforms and polymers
2. Functional roles of HLA-G by intercellular transfer, such as exosome and trogocytosis
3. Clinical significance of HLA-G expression in cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases
