HLA-E*01:01 allele is associated with better response to anti-HCV therapy while homozygous status for HLA-E*01:03 allele increases the resistance to anti-HCV treatments in frequently transfused thalassemia patients

HLA-E*01:01 + HLA-E*01:01 genotype confers less susceptibility to COVID-19, while HLA-E*01:03 + HLA-E*01:03 genotype is associated with more severe disease

“…The study was then continued by HLA-E genotyping in healthy control group where similar to our previous cross-sectional study in Iranian population [18] , here we also found a higher frequency of HLA-E*01:01 allele. Accordingly, with a bigger cohort here, the genotype distribution for this group was also reported as 44.1% for HLA-E*01:01+HLA-E*01:01 and 35.3% for HLA-E*01:01+HLA-E*01:03 genotype with a lower frequency for HLA-E*01:03+HLA-E*01:03 genotype (20.6%), which almost confirmed our previous results.…”

“…In line with these data, several previous studies have highlighted the relevance of HLA-E polymorphisms with different viral infections, of which the association of distinct HLA-E alleles with the status of hepatitis C, its treatment and clearance are the most studied to date [26] , [27] , [28] . Our recent study showed a significant relevance between homozygous status for HLA-E*01:03 allele with increased resistance to anti-HCV treatments in frequently transfused thalassemia patients, while, this research also confirmed the association between HLA-E*01:03 allele and increased susceptibility to HCV infection as well as higher resistance of individuals with HLA-E*01:01+HLA-E*01:01 genotype against hepatitis C [18] .…”

“…This difference may lead to a more effective inhibitory function of HLA-E*01:03 in interaction with NKG2A receptor, ultimately resulting in different function of NK cells in response to each of these ligands which suggesting that specific polymorphisms of HLA-E in individuals, can differently affect the function of NK cells [12] . While most previous research has focused on evaluating the expression of the HLA-E molecule in healthy tissues, tumors, and infected cells, as well as identifying different gene alleles of the molecule and structural differences in the products of each allele, recent studies have further examined the relationship between genotypes and alleles with susceptibility to a wide range of diseases and their prognosis or treatments [12] , [17] , [18] , [19] . In this regard, some of the most important studies are those that address the role of HLA-E polymorphism in susceptibility to viral infections such as hepatitis C and HIV or its effect on the response to treatment of these infections [18] .…”

“…While most previous research has focused on evaluating the expression of the HLA-E molecule in healthy tissues, tumors, and infected cells, as well as identifying different gene alleles of the molecule and structural differences in the products of each allele, recent studies have further examined the relationship between genotypes and alleles with susceptibility to a wide range of diseases and their prognosis or treatments [12] , [17] , [18] , [19] . In this regard, some of the most important studies are those that address the role of HLA-E polymorphism in susceptibility to viral infections such as hepatitis C and HIV or its effect on the response to treatment of these infections [18] . However regardless of evidences that highlight the fundamental role of the HLA-E-NK cell axis in the optimal innate immune response to different health threats, HLA-E-restricted CD8 + T Lymphocytes can also be involved in acquired immune response against some pathogens or tumors [20] .…”

Significance of HLA-E and its two NKG2 receptors in development of complications after allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells

“…We hypothesize that HLA-E, NKG2A and NKG2C expression and polymorphism play a role in the development of complications after HSCT in a Polish population. Various studies previously described the role of HLA-E and NKG2A/C polymorphisms in different population groups, although their results were not always consistent (28,(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44). In our present study, we aimed to determine the role of HLA-E genetic polymorphism and soluble HLA-E concentration, as well as NKG2A and NKG2C gene polymorphisms and protein expression within the NK cells in the development of post-transplant complications in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells.…”