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Contribution of class I HLA-A2 antigen in immune reactions
1B. Gattegno Research Institute of Human Reproduction and Fetal Development, Hasharon Hospital, Golda Medical Center, Petah-Tiqva, Israel.
Abstract:
The involvement of the Class I HLA-A2 antigen is briefly reviewed in relation to allograft rejection, the feto-maternal relationship, viral cytotoxic reactions and tumor immunity. It is suggested that the HLA-A2 molecule may have, as compared to other HLA Class I alleles, a dominant role as a restricting element in cytotoxic T-cell recognition in the feto-maternal relationship to male fetuses, in specific viral infections and in tumors. As compared to other HLA Class I alleles, its reduced expression or loss in a variety of tumors suggests its possible important role in tumor immune surveillance. The disappearance of HLA-A2 from tumor cells may eventually contribute to the escape from T-cell recognition of malignant cells.
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