Increased Levels of Plasma Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen G in Persistent Wheezy Infants

Background Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen characterized by limited polymorphism in its coding region, unique tissue expression pattern in physiologic conditions and immunomodulatory properties. Recently, many studies suggest that the levels of sHLA-G were higher in atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). However, this remains to be uncertain in wheezy infants. In the present study, it was aimed to determine sHLA-G levels in wheezy infants. Methods The study included infants with persistent wheezing and positive modified asthma predictive index (mAPI) (n=30) (persistent group) and those with transient wheezing and negative mAPI (n=17) (transient group). sHLA-G levels were determined in plasma by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophil counts were obtained whereas skin testing was performed with a battery of 13 antigens with appropriate positive and negative controls. Results When infants with persistent wheezing and positive mAPI (persistent group) and those with transient wheezing and negative mAPI (transient group) were compared, sHLA-G levels were found to be significantly higher in persistent group (p = 0.008). There was not a significant difference in the peripheral blood eosinophil counts and total IgE levels among the groups. Conclusions To best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing sHLA-G levels in wheezy infants. The finding of increased sHLA-G levels in infants with persistent wheezing suggests that it may be a parameter which could be used to distinguish which wheezing would be persistent. Further comprehensive studies are needed in this topic. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved