Analysis of soluble HLA class I antigens in tumor and virus-infected cells

Project leader: Katarína Poláková
Project duration: 2011 - 2014

Changes in the expression of soluble classical HLA class I antigens (sHLA-I) and soluble non-classical HLA-G antigens (sHLA-G) play an important role in immune escape mechanisms, in the pathogenesis and clinical course of malignant and viral diseases. These antigens exert multiple immunoregulatory functions such as inhibition of natural killer cells (NK) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), induction of T-cell apoptosis, etc. Therefore the main goal of the current research is to determine whether soluble class I antigens can be clinically relevant at some malignant and viral diseases, either for diagnosis or prognosis. Our research will be focused on expression of soluble HLA antigens in body fluids of cancer patients. We also intend to examine whether sHLA-G can be used as a prognostic marker at kidney transplantation. Finally, we will analyze the modulation of HLA-I and HLA-G expression in cells following influenza virus infection.

Publications