HLA-G Alleles Impact the Perinatal Father-Child HPV Transmission

Area of Science:

• Immunogenetics
• Virology
• Perinatal transmission

Background:

• Father-to-child human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission mechanisms are not fully understood.
• Host factors, particularly those related to immune response, may play a role in HPV transmission.
• Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a crucial immune tolerance molecule with potential implications in pathogen transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G alleles and father-to-child HPV transmission.
• To determine if HLA-G allele concordance influences HPV prevalence and concordance between fathers and their offspring during the perinatal period.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 134 father-newborn pairs from the Finnish Family HPV Study.
• Collection of oral, semen, and urethral samples from fathers, and oral samples from offspring.
• HLA-G allele typing by direct sequencing and HPV DNA testing.
• Statistical analysis using unconditional logistic regression to assess associations.

Main Results:

• HLA-G allele G*01:01:03 concordance was significantly associated with father-child oral high-risk (HR)-HPV concordance at birth (OR 17.00).
• HLA-G allele G*01:04:01 concordance increased father's oral and child's postpartum oral any- and HR-HPV concordance (ORs 7.50 and 7.78).
• No association was found between HLA-G genotypes and HPV concordance.

Conclusions:

• HLA-G allele concordance, not specific genotypes, appears to be a significant factor influencing HPV transmission from fathers to offspring.
• These findings highlight the role of specific HLA-G alleles in the immune-mediated control of perinatal HPV transmission.