Use of DPB1 T-cell epitope algorithm among italian transplant centers: A survey on behalf of Associazione Italiana di Immunogenetica e Biologia dei Trapianti.

The HLA-DPB1 locus has been demonstrated to have a significant role on patients' outcome after allogeneic HSCT, and the so-called T-cell epitope (TCE) algorithm has been incorporated in international guidelines for the selection of unrelated donors. The purpose of the present study is to measure, through a national survey conducted on behalf of the Associazione Italiana di Immunogenetica e Biologia dei Trapianti (AIBT), the extent of awareness and use of HLA-DPB1 TCE-based algorithms during the donor search. 89% of the HLA laboratories answered to a short questionnaire and the results showed a progressive increase of the laboratories typing DPB1 in patients and their potential donors during the search (from 44% to 79% during the 2010-2019 period) as well as the application of a TCE-based algorithm for the donor choice whenever possible (from 24% to 65% during the same period).

Consequences of ABO incompatibility in multiple myeloma patients undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation after reduced intensity conditioning.

Background: Although the ABO blood group is one of two major antigen systems of relevance for transplantation in humans, there are still conflicting data concerning the influence of ABO-incompatibility on transplant outcome. This study investigated the effect of ABO incompatibility in recipients of haematopoietic progenitor cell transplants from related donors after reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from 19 multiple myeloma patients included in a prospective RIC allogeneic haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation protocol, focusing on engraftment, transfusion requirement, Graft-versus-Host Disease, transplant-related mortality and survival.

Frequency of the HFE gene mutations in five Italian populations.

Genetic hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by iron overload and a variety of clinical manifestations such as liver cirrhosis and arthropathy. It is the most common genetic disease of northern European populations. The principal gene responsible for hereditary hemochromatosis, designated HFE, is located on chromosome 6 in the HLA region.

A very rare association of three mutations of the HFE gene for hemochromatosis.

In the present paper, we describe a patient who is a compound heterozygote for three mutations in the HFE gene: C282Y, H63D, and E168Q. The patient's mother carries two copies of H63D and one copy of E168Q; the patient's father is heterozygous for C282Y. The family study indicates that the patient, as well as his sister, a maternal uncle, and a first cousin, all have inherited a single HFE allele that contains two mutations H63D and E168Q.