This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a nonclassical HLA class I antigen that stands out for its immune regulatory properties. First recognized as a mediator of tolerance at the feto-maternal interface, HLA-G is considered a key molecule in protecting target tissue from autoaggressive inflammation.1 High serum levels of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) were found to predict graft acceptance in allotransplantation, whereas low levels seem to increase the risk of autoimmunity and account for higher disease activity in autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).1 To evaluate its potential use as a biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS), we analyzed sHLA-G serum protein in a large cohort of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) who developed MS during the 5-year observation period of the Betaferon/Betaseron in Newly Emerging Multiple Sclerosis for Initial Treatment (BENEFIT) trial.2
Methods.
BENEFIT was a placebo-controlled phase III trial of interferon-β (IFNβ)–1b in patients with CIS.2 The study design and outcomes of BENEFIT have been reported elsewhere.2 All patients underwent Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) assessment and brain MRI on a regular basis. The present study focused on patients who reached clinically definite MS (CDMS) during the trial (n = 209). From these patients, a total of 555 serum samples and 435 MRI scans were analyzed. Quantification of sHLA-G was performed using a commercially available ELISA kit (Exbio, Prague, Czech Republic). Nonparametric tests and Cox proportional hazards regression were used in the statistical analysis. A 2-sided p value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results.
The analysis of “basal” sHLA-G serum levels in untreated patients yielded a highly heterogeneous result (figure 1A). While sHLA-G was undetectable in 22.1% of patients, 12.7% had excessive amounts of sHLA-G serum …
AAN Members
We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.
AAN Non-Member Subscribers
Purchase access
Disputes & Debates: Rapid online correspondence
REQUIREMENTS
If you are uploading a letter concerning an article:
You must have updated your disclosures within six months: http://submit.neurology.org
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.