Characterization of 4AOHW cell line panel including new data for the 10IHW panel

There will be a continuing need for well characterized panels of EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines. Selection of the 4AOH panel was based on prior MHC typing and was intended to ensure representation of ancestral haplotypes from various racial groups. Cells from nonhuman primates, bone marrow donor-recipient pairs, and patients with IDDM were included. Selected cells from the 10IHW were included to enable further characterization. Cells were distributed to participants in the 4AOHW and were typed at multiple loci by a variety of procedures. Non-HLA genes such as TNF were included. Since the cells were distributed "blind" with hidden replicates, it was possible to evaluate the quality of the typing data. An approach to data management is described. The best current estimates of the typing of these cells are presented. The panel will be useful since it provides standards for most alleles at most loci. Since the cells are so well characterized, they represent a useful resource for MHC sequencing and for the evaluation of new typing procedures.