137 Human Leukocyte and Platelet Antigens Flashcards
The human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are highly polymorphic glycoproteins encoded by a region of genes known as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) located on the short arm of chromosome ________________
Chromosome 6p21
Their biologic function of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs)
Present donor-specific antigenic peptides to T lymphocytes and/or stimulate B cells to further differentiate to plasma cells and produce donor antigen–specific antibodies (DSA)
Class I HLAs
HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C
Class II HLAs
HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP
Type of HLA
Ubiquitous and present on most nucleated somatic cells, including those involved in the innate and adaptive immune response
Class I antigens
TRUE OR FALSE
Platelets express HLA-A antigens, but lack some HLA-B and most HLA-C antigens.
TRUE
Platelets express HLA-A antigens, but lack some HLA-B and most HLA-C antigens.
Type of HLA
More restricted distribution, with varying levels of expression on B cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, and macrophages
Present peptides from exogenous sources, such as bacterial pathogens, to CD4+ T cells.
Initial biomarker of inflammation and rejection
Class II antigens
Nonclassical class Ib antigens
HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G
Type of HLA
Group of genes and their products may have a pivotal role in maternal acceptance of a fetus as well as in other pathways involved in immune tolerance
Class I HLA-G
TRUE OR FALSE
HLA antigens are codominantly inherited so that each individual expresses two antigens, one from each parent, at each locus (A, B, DR, etc)
TRUE
HLA antigens are codominantly inherited so that each individual expresses two antigens, one from each parent, at each locus (A, B, DR, etc)
Class I Antigens
Region of the alpha chain comprising the antigen recognition domain (ARD) , the areas of highest polymorphism
α1 and α2 regions
TRUE OR FALSE
The β chain of HLA-DR is constant for all HLA-DR molecules, whereas the α chain is polymorphic and determines specificity of the molecule.
FALSE
The α chain of HLA-DR is constant for all HLA-DR molecules, whereas the β chain is polymorphic and determines specificity of the molecule.
In contrast, HLA-DQ and DP molecules exhibit polymorphism in both α and β chains, with the β chain displaying the greatest variability
The identification of each HLA antigen of an individual is called
Phenotype
- Each individual has one allele for each locus per chromosome and therefore encodes two HLA antigens per locus.
- Because HLA genes are closely linked, recombination within the MHC is rare (≤1%), and a complete set of HLA genes usually is inherited from each parent as a unit.
The genes inherited from each parent are referred to as a
Haplotype
Family studies consist of typing for HLA:
HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP
Added to the list of determinants for transplant compatibility
Used in the in the solid organ arena, where antibodies to these antigens have been implicated in rejection
DPA1* and DQA1* antigens
What is Linkage Disequilibrium
HLA alleles are inherited together on the same chromosome more often than would be predicted if HLA loci were in equilibrium.
Serologic Testing for HLA that has been the benchmark procedure in HLA testing in the field of transplant immunology for more than 50 years.
Complement-dependent microlymphocytotoxicity (CDC) assay
- It can be used for both HLA typing and the detection of HLA-specific antibodies.
- The third use of the CDC assay is in performance of a crossmatch between a potential donor’s cells and patient serum.
CDC Assay
The number of wells that show cell death in the panel divided by the total number of microtiter wells gives one a relative indication of the serum’s antibody “strength” is called
Panel reactive antibody (PRA)
Low or High-resolution Typing
Used in HSCT
High-resolution Typing
- Typing for solid organ transplantation usually requires a serologic or antigen-level identification commonly referred to as “low-resolution typing.”
The most common form of Molecular Human Leukocyte Antigen Typing used in HLA typing is
Dye-terminator sequencing
Advantages of NGS compared with other HLA sequencing technologies
- The ability to batch samples from several patients into a single sequencing reaction
- Ability to obtain sequencing results from a single DNA molecule, with near complete coverage of all exons and introns comprising the 11 HLA genes.
- NGS eliminates phasing ambiguities that occur in SBT.
The gold standard for evaluating recipients and donors for allograft transplantation.
Flow cytometric crossmatch
TRUE OR FALSE
HLA matching is currently not performed prospectively for renal, hepatic, lung, or cardiac transplantation.
TRUE
HLA matching is currently not performed prospectively for renal, hepatic, lung, or cardiac transplantation.