PlasmaHLA-G levels were decreased significantly in the preeclampsia group (median, 0.072 microgram/mL), the preeclampsia with IUGR group (median, 0.086 microgram/mL), and the IUGR group (median, 0.081 microgram/mL), in comparison with normal pregnant women (median, 0.360 microgram/mL) (P=0.002, P=0.049, and P=0.003, respectively). Also, Placental HLA-G levels were decreased significantly in the preeclampsia group (median, 0.016 microgram/mg), the preeclampsia with IUGR group (median, 0.015 microgram/mg), and the IUGR group (median, 0.021 microgram/mg), in comparison with normal pregnant women (median, 0.091 microgram/mg) (P<0.001, P=0.002, and P=0.001, respectively). There was a significant correlation between plasma and placental HLA-G levels (r=0.807, P<0.001).
CONCLUSION:
Our results indicate that the attenuated expression of placental HLA-G and reduced release of this protein into the maternal circulation in gestational complications, such as preeclampsia and IUGR may alter the maternal-fetal immune relationship, and thus could be at play in the pathophysiology of these diseases. This suggests that assessment of levels of HLA-Gproteins may be useful in predicting development of preeclampsia and IUGR.