HLA‐G and its KIR ligands in cancer – another enigma yet to be solved?

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Abstract
Alterations of antigen‐presenting human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules often occur in cancer and represent one of the mechanisms by which tumours evade host immunosurveillance. One such molecule, HLA‐G, was recently implicated in the same context. HLA‐G is thought to mediate the tolerance of the semi‐allogeneic fetus during pregnancy, by inhibiting maternal immune response through interaction with different HLA‐G‐recognizing killer‐cell inhibitory receptors (KIRs). A report in this issue of the journal demonstrates for the first time the expression of HLA‐G and its KIR ligand, ILT‐2 in human breast cancer. Apart from the up‐regulation on tumour cells, the authors describe HLA‐G induction on the macrophages and T cells infiltrating the breast cancer lesions. Moreover, a subset of infiltrating cells also expressed HLA‐G‐recognizing KIR, ILT‐2. This editorial discusses the induction of HLA‐G and related KIR molecules as another mechanism for tumours to escape immune recognition. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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