Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G Expression and Glucose Tolerance in Subjects with Different Degrees of Adiposity

Context: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity are characterized by a low-grade inflammation, which might be related to the development of insulin resistance. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) shows antiinflammatory and tolerogenic properties, including the modulation of CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity and regulation of CD4+ T-lymphocyte function. These functions are partially shared with IL-10, whose levels are reduced in insulin-resistant states. Objective: The aim was to explore the relationship between HLA-G and the metabolic and inflammatory pattern of obesity or T2DM. Patients and Main Outcome Measures: Soluble HLA-G, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured and related with metabolic and biochemical parameters in 230 volunteers with normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance, or T2DM by oral glucose tolerance test. Results: sHLA-G, detected in 144 subjects (sHLA-G positive), was more frequent in T2DM or impaired glucose tolerance subjects than in normal glucose tolerance (χ2 =18.6; P < 0.0001), and i...