HLA-G: a shield against inflammatory aggression

Recent developments in the field of HLA-G research have revealed that, besi des its involvement during pregnancy, HLA-G is expressed in peripheral tiss ues during pathological processes, such as viral infections, malignancies a nd organ transplantation. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding the in fluence of HLA-G on the T helper (Th) cytokine balance (favoring Th2-type r esponses), and the expression of HLA-G during chronic, cutaneous inflammato ry diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. We propose a novel ro le for HLA-G as a tissue-protective molecule in inflammatory responses.