Human leukocyte antigen-G in the male reproductive system and in seminal plasma

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Margit Hørup Larsen
  • Michael Bzorek
  • Malene B Pass
  • Lise Grupe Larsen
  • Mette Weidinger Nielsen
  • Signe Goul Svendsen
  • Anette Lindhard
  • Hviid, Thomas Vauvert F.
One of the non-classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class Ib proteins, HLA-G, is believed to exert important immunoregulatory functions, especially during pregnancy. The presence of HLA protein in paternal seminal fluid has been suggested to have an influence on the risk of developing pre-eclampsia. We have investigated whether HLA-G protein is present in human seminal plasma and in different tissue samples of the male reproductive system. Western blot technique and a soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) assay were used to detect sHLA-G in human seminal plasma samples. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue samples. We detected sHLA-G protein in seminal plasma, and HLA-G expression in normal testis and in epididymal tissue of the male reproductive system but not in the seminal vesicle. Furthermore, the results indicated a weak expression of HLA-G in hyperplastic prostatic tissue. In summary, several of the findings reported in this study suggest an immunoregulatory role of HLA-G in the male reproductive system and in seminal plasma.
Original languageEnglish
JournalMolecular Human Reproduction
Volume17
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)727-38
Number of pages12
ISSN1360-9947
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2011

    Research areas

  • Blotting, Western, Endometrium, Epididymis, Female, HLA-G Antigens, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Male, Microtomy, Paraffin Embedding, Placenta, Pre-Eclampsia, Pregnancy, Reproduction, Risk Factors, Semen, Solubility, Testis

ID: 47896236