title: A future with less HLA: potential clinical applications of HLA-universal cells.
abstract: The high variability of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) remains a major obstacle to the application of allogeneic products in cell-based therapies. We have developed a strategy to decrease the immunogenicity of cell and tissues to improve their survival after allogeneic transplantation in the absence of immunosuppression. Using RNA interference technology, the expression of HLA class I and II was stably downregulated. HLA-silenced cells demonstrated to prevent a de novo and escape a pre-formed alloimmune response in vitro and in vivo. Also, they demonstrated to be capable of engraft and survive after allogeneic transplantation independently of the donor's and recipient's genetic background. The generation of HLA-universal cells has may open new horizons in the field of regenerative medicine. Some of the potential clinical applications of HLA universal cells will be discussed in this review.
authors: Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Figueiredo
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Blasczyk
mesh_terms: D064591:Allografts; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006082:Graft Enhancement, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006648:Histocompatibility; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D034061:Thrombopoiesis; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014181:Transplantation Immunology
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
keywords: RNA interference; bioartificial organs; blood pharming; human leukocyte antigen; platelets