Normal HLA class I, II, and MICA gene distribution in uveal melanoma.

Purpose: The molecules of the HLA class I and II molecules as well as the MHC class I chain-related gene A (MICA), a polymorphic and stress-induced cell surface molecule, are involved in T-cell and natural killer-cell (NK-cell) mediated immune responses. In this study we looked for any genetic susceptibility contributed by HLA class I, class II, or MICA genes with regard to the development of uveal melanoma.

Methods: Between 1998 and 2001, 159 uveal melanoma patients were typed for HLA class I and II, and 168 uveal melanoma patients were evaluated for MICA by microsatellite typing.

Pregnancy induces minor histocompatibility antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells: implications for stem cell transplantation and immunotherapy.

Recipients of HLA-identical stem cell transplants have a poorer transplant outcome if the donor is female rather than male. We analyzed whether pregnancy primes for minor histocompatibility (H) antigens. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy multiparous female blood donors were depleted for CD4+, CD14+, CD16+, and CD19+ cells, stained with minor H antigen-specific HLA-A2 tetramers, sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and tested for cytotoxic activity.

MICA gene polymorphism is not associated with an increased risk for skin cancer.

The MICA gene encodes for major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related proteins (MIC), which belong to a recently identified new family of nonclassical major histocompatibility complex molecules. The general structure of the MICA molecule resembles that of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. MIC molecules are considered to be stress-induced antigens that are recognized by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, which play an important role in the surveillance of transformed infected and damaged cells.

Selective co-evolution of the D6STNFa microsatellite region with HLA class I and II loci.

We analyzed the HLA-A, -B, -DR and -DQ phenotypes and 12 microsatellite locus genotypes within and close to the major histocompatibility complex in a panel of 98 randomly selected, healthy, unrelated Dutch Caucasoid individuals. Allele frequencies and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were calculated. Also, the linkage disequilibrium patterns between HLA and microsatellite loci were studied.

D6STNFa microsatellite locus correlates with CTLp frequency in unrelated bone marrow donor-recipient pairs.

The use of unrelated donors for bone marrow transplantation is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality when compared with HLA identical siblings, primarily due to an increased rate of graft-versus-host-disease. HLA matching for donors and recipients is the most important factor influencing the outcome of BMT. However, unrelated donor selection generally relies on matching only for HLA antigens without considering potential incompatibility for other MHC loci.