Expression of classical HLA class I molecules: regulation and clinical impacts

C. René (1, 2) , C. Lozano (1) , J.-F. Eliaou (1, 3)

1 CHRU Montpellier - Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire [Montpellier]
2 Cellules Souches, Plasticité Cellulaire, Médecine Régénératrice et Immunothérapies (IRMB)
3 IRCM - U1194 Inserm - UM - Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes are ubiquitously expressed, but in a tissue specific-manner. Their expression is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level and can be modulated both positively and negatively by different stimuli. Advances in sequencing technologies led to the identification of new regulatory variants located in the untranslated regions (UTRs), which could influence the expression. After a brief description of the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of HLA class I genes expression, we will review how the expression levels of HLA class I genes could affect biological and pathological processes. Then, we will discuss on the differential expression of HLA class I genes according to the locus, allele and UTR polymorphisms and its clinical impact. This interesting field of study led to a new dimension of HLA typing, going beyond a qualitative aspect.

Mots clés: allele; expression; major histocompatibility complex class I; polymorphism; transplantation

Domaines: Biologie cellulaire; Immunologie; Médecine humaine et pathologie

C. René, C. Lozano, J.-F. Eliaou. Expression of classical HLA class I molecules: regulation and clinical impacts. HLA: Immune Response Genetics, 2016, 87 (5), pp.338 - 349. ⟨10.1111/tan.12787⟩. ⟨hal-01872172⟩