Implications of the polymorphism of HLA-G on its function, regulation, evolution and disease association

The HLA-G gene displays several peculiarities that are distinct from those of classical HLA class I genes. The unique structure of the HLA-G molecule permits a restricted peptide presentation and allows the modulation of the cells of the immune system. Although polymorphic sites may potentially influence all biological functions of HLA-G, those present at the promoter and 3′ untranslated regions have been particularly studied in experimental and pathological conditions. The relatively low polymorphism observed in the MHC-G coding region both in humans and apes may represent a strong selective pressure for invariance, whereas, in regulatory regions several lines of evidence support the role of balancing selection. Since HLA-G has immunomodulatory properties, the understanding of gene regulation and the role of polymorphic sites on gene function may permit an individualized approach for the future use of HLA-G for therapeutic purposes

Comparison between selected hormone and protein levels in serum and prostate tissue homogenates in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and metabolic disorders

Katarzyna Grzesiak,1 Aleksandra Rył,2 Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka,3 Iwona Rotter,2 Barbara Dołęgowska,4 Marcin Słojewski,5 Olimpia Sipak-Szmigiel,6 Weronika Ratajczak,1 Anna Lubkowska,7 Emilia Metryka,3 Małgorzata Piasecka,1 Maria Laszczyńska1 1Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; 2Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Clinical Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; 3Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; 4Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; 5Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; 6Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; 7Department of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between changes in the levels of selected hormones in serum and prostate tissue homogenate in regard to metabolic disorders in patients with diagnosed, surgically treated benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients and methods: The study involved a group of 154 men with a diagnosis of BPH with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and without MetS. The serum levels of the hormones – total testosterone, free testosterone, insulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) – were determined using the ELISA method. Prostate tissue sections obtained from the patients during transurethral resection of the prostate were frozen in liquid nitrogen. We determined the levels of the same hormones. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of serum SHBG levels, but not in the prostate tissue SHBG levels. A similar relationship was observed in regard to IGF-1, the serum levels of which were significantly higher in patients with MetS. MetS had an effect on the ratio of hormone levels in serum to their levels in the prostate tissue. Correlations between the levels of biochemical parameters and the levels of hormones in serum and the prostate tissue of BPH patients with and without MetS demonstrate that serum SHBG levels correlated weakly with waist size and triglyceride levels. Conclusion: The occurrence of MetS in BPH patients was associated with changes in the levels of hormones and proteins. These changes, however, were not always equivalent to changes in the levels of these parameters in prostate tissue. It should also be mentioned that MetS in BPH patients had an influence on a quantitative balance between the levels of SHBG in serum and prostate tissue. Keywords: benign prostatic hyperplasia, hormone levels, metabolic disorder