Monocytes and T lymphocytes in HIV-1-positive patients express HLA-G molecule

Objective: To study the expression of HLA-G on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-1-infected individuals in order to determine whether this molecule is induced as a consequence of HIV-1 infection. Design: A total of 23 HIV-positive individuals in different stages of the disease were studied. Methods: Flow cytometric analysis and Western blot were used to measure HLA-G expression on PBMC obtained from HIV-positive and control individuals. Results: Most of the monocytes obtained from HIV-1-infected individuals express HLA-G, whereas only a very low proportion of monocytes from healthy individuals express this molecule. When T lymphocytes from HIV-1 infections were studied, it was found that 30% of them express HLA-G, whereas only 1% were HLA-G-positive in healthy individuals. HLA-G expression was also confirmed by Western blot using specific anti-HLA-G monoclonal antibodies. Conclusion: The synthesis of HLA-G is increased in monocytes and certain T lymphocytes from HIV-1-infected individuals. (C) 2002 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.