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HLA class II epitope detection by serology.
Clinical Transplants
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Antibodies in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class II typing often react to specific amino acids. This study identifies these amino acid-defined epitopes, clarifying previous findings and aiding transplant matching.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Molecular immunology
- Serology
Background:
- Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class II molecules play a crucial role in immune responses and transplantation.
- Understanding the specificities of antibodies used in HLA typing is essential for accurate matching.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate amino acid sequences of HLA Class II molecules with serological reactions from allogeneic antisera.
- To identify specific amino acid residues that define serologically defined epitopes on HLA Class II molecules.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of amino acid sequences of Class II specificities from 70 homozygous cell lines.
- Analysis of cytotoxic reactions produced by 13,000 allogeneic antisera against these cell lines.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between unique amino acids at specific residues and cytotoxic reaction patterns.
- Identified 64 out of 131 variable DRB1 residues (49%) and 59 out of 94 DQB1 residues (63%) as targets for antibodies.
- Demonstrated that many previously considered multispecific sera are directed against these specific amino acid-defined epitopes.
Conclusions:
- The majority of serologic reactions for HLA Class II molecules can be attributed to antibody reactivity against specific amino acid-defined epitopes.
- These identified epitopes are immunogenic and likely significant for successful transplant matching.