Genotyping: the HLA system and embryo development

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC), in addition to its role in the regulation of cell-cell interactions in the immune response, also influences reproductive success. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is an MHC class I gene of particular interest in reproductive biology because of its specific expression on fetal cytotrophoblast cells, and its reported involvement both in protection of the developing fetus from destruction by the maternal immune response and in the prevention of maternal pre-eclampsia. HLA-G has 15 known alleles at the DNA level, and allelic frequency varies among ethnic groups. This study describes the results of an inaugural attempt to correlate an HLA-G genetic polymorphism with pregnancy outcome in a patient population undergoing IVF. The study group was composed of 102 Caucasian women. A maternal HLA-G genetic polymorphism was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of DNA collected from granulosa cells surrounding oocytes harvested for the IVF procedure. While no statistically significant correlation was identified in this initial study, larger studies examining DNA from trios of mother, father and offspring are planned.