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HLA-C expression on platelets: studies with an HLA-Cw1-specific human monoclonal antibody
1Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Background And Objectives:
The expression of HLA-C on the surface of platelets is rarely studied due to the lack of proper alloantisera. We addressed this question using an IgM human monoclonal antibody directed against HLA-Cw1 (VP6G3).
Material And Methods:
Both flow cytometry and complement dependent cytotoxicity studies were used in the current analysis.
Results:
The expression of the HLA-Cw1 antigen on platelets is lower than on peripheral blood lymphocytes as shown by flow cytometry. Variation in expression levels between individuals is also observed. Using this antibody in a complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay, we did not observe lysis using platelets as targets, whereas peripheral blood lymphocytes of the same blood donors were adequately lysed.
Conclusions:
These results confirm that platelets indeed express HLA-C. Furthermore, the results support the insignificant role of HLA-C in immunological platelet refractoriness.
