title: Minor histocompatibility antigens: past, present, and future.
abstract: Minor histocompatibility (H) antigens are key molecules driving allo-immune responses in both graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) and in graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) reactivity in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Dissection of the dual function of minor H antigens became evident through their different modes of tissue and cell expression, i.e. hematopoietic system-restricted or broad. Broadly expressed minor H antigens can cause both GvHD and GvL effects, while hematopoietic system-restricted minor H antigens are more prone to induce GvL responses. This phenomenon renders the latter group of minor H antigens as curative tools for HSCT-based immunotherapy of hematological malignancies and disorders, in which minor H antigen-specific responses are enhanced in order to eradicate the malignant cells. This article describes the immunogenetics of minor H antigens and methods that have been developed to identify them. Moreover, it summarizes the clinical relevance of minor H antigens in transplantation, with special regards to allogeneic HSCT and solid-organ transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spierings
mesh_terms: D064591:Allografts; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020544:Graft vs Leukemia Effect / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D016377:Organ Transplantation
chemical_list: D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
keywords: adoptive immunotherapy; allo-immunity; graft-versus-host disease; graft-versus-leukemia effect; hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation; immunogenetics; minor H antigens; organ transplantation