HLA-G POLYMORPHISMS - NEUTRAL EVOLUTION OR NOVEL FUNCTION

HLA-G is a non-classical class Ib gene with many unusual features. Bec ause of its unique expression pattern, which is primarily limited to f etal cells at the maternal fetal interface, this gene has gained the a ttention of many investigators. In this paper we review some of the no vel features of HLA-G, with particular reference to polymorphic varian ts in the gene, and discuss the implications of these features for the potential function and evolutionary history of HLA-G. (C) 1997 Elsevi er Science Ireland Ltd.