Human platelet antigen genotyping using a fluorescent SSCP technique with an automatic sequencer

The typing of human platelet antigens (HPA) can be useful in many clinical situations such as neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, post-transfusion purpura, and platelet transfusion refractoriness. The fluorescent-based single-strand conformation polymorphism (F-SSCP) technique is a fast and convenient way to perform HPA genotyping. Universal sequences from phage M13 were introduced at both ends of specific PCR-products by using 5'-tailed primers. A short second round of PCR with universal primers coupled to Cy-5 enabled the PCR-products to be fluorescently labelled. F-SSCP was performed by gel electrophoresis on an automated fluorescent DNA analyser. Genotyping of the three major HPA systems carried by the GP IIb-IIIa complex showed the F-SSCP technique to be accurate and reliable. A single gel procedure has been sufficient to detect HPA genetic polymorphisms tested to date. Neither restriction enzyme, radioactive material, nor any other hazardous chemicals such as ethidium bromide were required. This technique enabled us to genotype HPA-1, -3 and -4 alleles easily and to diagnose materno-fetal incompatibility in a rare alloantigenic system. F-SSCP is a promising technique for the detection of new mutations and/or DNA polymorphisms on a large scale.