HLA-G and HLA-E in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2011 May;50(5):966-72. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keq418. Epub 2010 Dec 23.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the expression and release of HLA-G and HLA-E in JIA.

Methods: Soluble (s)HLA-G and HLA-E were measured in sera from 58 JIA patients and 54 healthy donors. Surface expression of HLA-G, HLA-E and immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)2 and ILT4, two receptors for HLA-G, was assessed on T, B cells and monocytes from peripheral blood (PB) and SF of 12 JIA patients and from PB of 12 controls.

Results: Serum sHLA-G concentration was significantly lower in patients than in controls. Both sHLA-G and sHLA-E were detected in SF and sHLA-E concentration in SF was higher in extended oligoarticular/polyarticular than in limited oligoarticular JIA. Patients compared with controls showed: (i) down-regulation of HLA-E and ILT2 expression on T cells; (ii) up-regulation of HLA-E expression on B cells and monocytes; and (iii) down-regulation of ILT4 expression on monocytes. Comparing JIA patients' SF and PB we found: (i) up-regulation of HLA-E and ILT2 expression in T and B cells and monocytes; and (ii) down-regulation of ILT4 expression in monocytes. ILT4 was up-regulated in monocytes from oligoarticular extended/polyarticular compared with oligoarticular limited JIA.

Conclusions: A lower concentration of sHLA-G in sera may predispose to JIA, as observed for other autoimmune diseases. sHLA-E concentration in SF correlate with the number of affected joints. Higher ILT2 expression on SF cell populations compared with PB may be related to high sHLA-G concentration in SF. Higher HLA-E expression in SF than in PB cell populations may protect them from NK cytolysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / etiology*
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / metabolism*
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / pathology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • HLA-E Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens / metabolism*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / pathology
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism
  • Synovial Fluid / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • LILRB1 protein, human
  • LILRB2 protein, human
  • Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic