Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen‐G in Seminal Plasma is Associated with HLA‐G Genotype: Possible Implications for Fertility Success. (16th April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dahl, Mette; Perin, Trine L.; Djurisic, Snezana; Rasmussen, Merete; Ohlsson, Janni; Buus, Søren; Lindhard, Anette; Hviid, Thomas Vauvert F.
• Is Part Of: American journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 72:Number 1(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2014-04-16
• Subjects: Human reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; 616.69206
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.12251
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1046-7408

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="aji12251-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="aji12251-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Problem</title> <p>We have previously shown that human seminal plasma contains immunomodulatory soluble HLA‐G (sHLA‐G). We investigated whether sHLA‐G levels in seminal plasma are associated with a specific 14 base pair (bp) insertion/deletion (ins/del) polymorphism in the 3′‐untranslated region of the HLA‐G gene and/or with the outcome of assisted reproduction treatments (ART) in couples attending a fertility clinic.</p> </sec> <sec id="aji12251-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method of Study</title> <p>In a total of 54 unselected couples, sHLA‐G levels were measured in seminal plasma samples and blood samples, HLA‐G genotyping was performed, and clinical data were collected.</p> </sec> <sec id="aji12251-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The concentration of sHLA‐G in seminal plasma samples was significantly associated with the HLA‐G 14 bp ins/del genotype of the men; the del14 bp/del14 bp genotype showed the highest level of sHLA‐G, and the ins14 bp/ins14 bp genotype showed the lowest level (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.003). We observed a trend for higher seminal plasma levels of sHLA–G/total protein and total sHLA‐G in cases with reduced semen quality, where the female partner became pregnant after ART, compared with those couples in which no pregnancy was achieved.</p> </sec> <sec id="aji12251-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>These first results are in accordance with a possible role of seminal sHLA‐G as an immunomodulatory factor in the female reproductive tract before and at the time of conception.</p> </sec> </abstract>