The role of HLA-G in parasitic diseases Sabbagh, A. Sonon, P. Sadissou, I. Mendes, C. T. /Garcia, André Donadi, E. A. /Courtin, David echinococcosis genetics HLA-G immune system leishmaniosis malaria parasite toxoplasmosis trypanosomiasis Little attention has been devoted to the role of HLA-G gene and molecule on parasitic disorders, and the available studies have focused on malaria, African and American trypanosomiasis, leishmaniosis, toxoplasmosis and echinococcosis. After reporting a brief description regarding the role of the cells of innate and adaptive immune system against parasites, we reviewed the major features of the HLA-G gene and molecule and the role of HLA-G on the major cells of immune system. Increased levels of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) have been observed in patients presenting toxoplasmosis and in the active phase of echinococcosis. In addition, increased sHLA-G has also been associated with increased susceptibility to malaria and increased susceptibility to develop human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). In contrast, decreased membrane-bound HLA-G has been reported in placenta of patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum and in heart and colon of patients presenting Chagas disease. The 30 untranslated region of the HLA-G gene has been the main focus of studies on malaria, HAT and Chagas disease, exhibiting distinct patterns of associations. Considering that HLA-G is an immune checkpoint molecule, inhibiting the activity of several cells of the immune system, the excessive neoexpression and the increased sHLA-G levels together with the decreased constitutive tissue expression of membrane-bound HLA-G may be detrimental to the host infected with parasite agents. 2018 text https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010072479 fdi:010072479 Sabbagh A., Sonon P., Sadissou I., Mendes C. T., Garcia André, Donadi E. A., Courtin David. The role of HLA-G in parasitic diseases. 2018, 91 (4), 255-270 EN AFRIQUE SUBSAHARIENNE AMERIQUE LATINE