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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Purification of HLA-G+ Extravillous Trophoblasts from Human Term Placental Tissues for Phenotyping and Functional Analysis
Published on: March 13, 2026
Low plasma HLA-G protein concentrations in early gestation indicate the development of preeclampsia later in
Shang-mian Yie1, Robert N Taylor, Clifford Librach
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre (SWCHSC), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Lower levels of human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) in early pregnancy may predict preeclampsia (PE). This finding suggests HLA-G testing could aid in early PE detection.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Maternal-fetal medicine
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy complication.
- Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) plays a role in immune tolerance during pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if early pregnancy circulating HLA-G levels can predict preeclampsia development.
- To assess the diagnostic potential of HLA-G as an early biomarker for PE.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal plasma sampling during first, second, and third trimesters.
- Quantification of HLA-G protein using a validated sandwich ELISA.
- Comparison of HLA-G levels between preeclampsia patients and matched controls.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower first-trimester HLA-G levels in PE patients (1.25 µg/mL) compared to controls (1.95 µg/mL).
- Significantly lower second-trimester HLA-G levels in PE patients (1.11 µg/mL) compared to controls (1.90 µg/mL).
Conclusions:
- Circulating HLA-G levels are reduced in the first trimester in women who later develop preeclampsia.
- Measuring plasma HLA-G concentration may serve as a valuable early predictive marker for preeclampsia.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine whether circulating HLA-G levels, early in pregnancy, predict the subsequent development of preeclampsia (PE).
Study Design:
Plasma samples, collected longitudinally during the first, second, and third trimesters, from 12 PE patients and 12 matched control patients were tested for HLA-G protein using a validated sandwich ELISA.
Results:
First and second trimester HLA-G levels in PE were significantly lower than in control patients (first trimester, 1.25 microg/mL vs 1.95 microg/mL, P=.029; second trimester, 1.11 microg/mL vs 1.90 microg/mL, P=.024).
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that HLA-G levels in plasma from women who subsequently develop PE are lower than control patients, as early as the first trimester. This suggests that determination of circulating HLA-G protein concentration may be useful as an early predictor for the development of PE.
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