RFLP analysis with cDNA probes for DQ/DP region in HLA identical sibling marrow transplants: lack of correlation with GvHD.
BACKGROUND
The role of HLA-DP as transplantation antigen in contributing to GvHD is a matter of current debate. HLA-DP, is encoded centromeric to DR-DQ and its alleles are in weak linkage disequilibrium with the rest of the MHC; thus a certain number of HLA matched pairs could be actually DP incompatible to study a possible correlation between HLA-DP matching and GvHD, 24 HLA identical BMT/donor-recipient sibling pairs (serologically tested for HLA Class I and DR antigens) were tested for DQ and DP genes using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.


METHODS
DNA extracts were digested according to a standard procedure with two different restriction enzymes (HIND III and MSP I) and hybridised with DQ (alpha and beta) and DP (alpha and beta) specific probes. Highly stringent hybridization and washing conditions were used to prevent cross-hybridizations.


RESULTS
Twenty four out of 24 pairs proved to be DQ and DP identical. GvHD developed in 16 out of 24 (66.6%) recipients.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that DNa analysis of DQ-DP regions, with the probes and enzymes used, does not give predictive informations for GvHD in HLA genotypically identical pairs.
Divisione di Ematologia, Ospedale San Martino, Genova, Italy.
E
E
Gaozza
P
P
Piccoli
G B
GB
Ferrara
A
A
Bacigalupo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D004247:DNA; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D004247:DNA