The human leukocyte antigen G molecule (HLA-G) expression in patients with nasal polyposis

• Main Authors: Melissa Ameloti Gomes Avelino, Isabela Jubé Wastowski, Ricardo Gimenes Ferri, Thaís Gomes Abrahão Elias, Ana Paula Lindoso Lima, Larissa Cardoso Marinho, Shirley Shizue Nagata Pignatari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2014-06-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
• Subjects: Pólipos nasais; Alergia e imunologia; Antígenos HLA-G
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1808-86942014000300208&lng=en&tlng=en

INTRODUCTION: Sinonasal polyposis (NP) is a chronic inflammatory pathology of the nasal/paranasal cavities which affects from 1%-4% of the population. Although polyps seem to be a manifestation of chronic inflammation in both allergic and non-allergic subjects, the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis remains unknown. HLA-G molecules are a kind of no classic class I antigen with anti-inflammatory and tolerogenic properties. Little attention has been paid to the role of HLA-G chronic inflammatory disorders. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of HLA-G in the NP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study involving samples of patients presenting with nasal polyposis that were subjected to the immunohistochemistry technique. After a skin prick test, all patients were divided into atopic and nonatopic groups and classified as asthmatic or non-asthmatic. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated a higher expression of the HLA-G molecule in samples from nonatopic than in those from atopic patients, and was significantly lower in the non-asthmatic patients. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that HLA-G may play an important role in the pathology of nasal polyposis. Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of HLA-G, this study suggests that it could reduce susceptibility to atopy and asthma.