title: Genetics of transfusion recipient alloimmunization: can clues from susceptibility to autoimmunity pave the way?
abstract: The search for genetic determinants of alloimmunization in sickle cell disease transfusion recipients was based on two premises: i) that polymorphisms responsible for stronger immune and/or inflammatory responses and hemoglobin β(S) mutation were co-selected by malaria; and ii) that stronger responder status contributes to development of lupus. We found a marker of alloimmunization in the gene encoding for Ro52 protein, also known as Sjögren syndrome antigen 1 (SSA1) and TRIM21. Surprisingly, the nature of the association was opposite of that with lupus; the same variant of a polymorphism (rs660) that was associated with lupus incidence was also associated with induction of tolerance to red blood cell antigens during early childhood. The dual function of Ro52 can explain this apparent contradiction. We propose that other lupus/autoimmunity susceptibility loci may reveal roles of additional molecules in various aspects of alloimmunization induced by transfusion as well as during pregnancy.
authors: Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
authors: Zohreh
authors: Z
authors: Tatari-Calderone
authors: Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA ; Division of Laboratory Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors: Naomi L C
authors: NL
authors: Luban
authors: Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
authors: Stanislav
authors: S
authors: Vukmanovic
keywords: Alloimmunization; Antibodies; Autoimmunity; Red blood cells