DNA analysis of histocompatibility antigens of a sample of the Säo Paulo population

ABSTRACT

Human major histocompatibility complex (HLA) antigens have attracted great interest because of their prominent role in cell-mediated immune response and thus in graft rejection. An enormous variety of histocompatibility antigens has been demonstrated and the number of known antigens increases every year. The objective of the present study was to apply restriction fragment lengh polymorphism (RFLP) analysis to the normal population of Säo Paulo in order to confirm and extend the scope of our laboratory's cell panel for HLA typing. DNA typing of class I antigens has not been very productive since only some specificities correlate with DNA fragments demonstrable with Southern blots. In contrast, DNA typing of class II antigens is a valuable tool for reclassifying cells previously typed by anti-HLA sera. Since antisera for recently described HLA antigens are not easily available, the development of a well-characterized panel is essential for the correct screening of incoing sera. These sera, in turn, permit the accurate typing of donor-recipient pairs in kidney and bone marrow transplantation