BSHI guideline: HLA matching and donor selection for haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation.

A review of the British Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (BSHI) Guideline 'HLA matching and donor selection for haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation' published in 2016 was undertaken by a BSHI appointed writing committee. Literature searches were performed and the data extracted were presented as recommendations according to the GRADE nomenclature.

Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis in Māori and Pacific Island children in New Zealand.

Aim: To investigate the incidence and severity of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (anti-NMDA) receptor encephalitis in children from New Zealand.

Method: A retrospective case series was undertaken of all children (≤18y) diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis from January 2008 to October 2015.

Results: Sixteen patients were identified with anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid, three of whom had an associated teratoma.

Unambiguous high resolution genotyping of human leukocyte antigens.

We have developed a high resolution sequencing based typing method for genotyping Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) over a period of twenty years. The methods are based upon the separation of HLA alleles per locus at the initial amplification to simplify the analysis post-sequencing. The increasing discovery of polymorphism in HLA, manifested in new alleles, has necessitated the continuing development of this method.

Diversity in exon 5 of HLA-C(∗)04:01:01G is significant in anthropological studies.

Polymorphisms in Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I genes are generally considered to be relevant only if they reside in exons 2 and 3 or if they affect the expression of the allele. HLA-C(∗)04:82 differs from the common HLA-C(∗)04:01:01 by having a 9 nucleotide, or 3 amino acid duplication, in exon 5. Having observed HLA-C(∗)04:82 in a New Zealand Maori stem cell patient, we have attempted to examine the prevalence of this allele in different ethnicities.

Recent Developments in Transplantation and Transfusion Medicine.

Transplantation and transfusion are related and clinically important areas of multidisciplinary expertise, including pre-operative treatment, donor recruitment, tissue matching, and post-operative care. We have seen significant developments in these areas, especially in the late 20th and early 21st century. This paper reviews the latest advances in modern transplantation and transfusion medicine, including several new genetic markers (e.

Novel Approaches and Technologies in Molecular HLA Typing.

The invention of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has revolutionized molecular biology enabling gene isolation and characterization in hours rather than days. Scientists working in transplant diagnostics have proven to be pioneers in adapting this molecular technique to the clinical needs of histocompatibility testing. This chapter describes a number of novel genotyping technologies which have been used to address the challenges posed by genetic diversity seen in the extensive polymorphism in HLA genes.

KIR diversity in Māori and Polynesians: populations in which HLA-B is not a significant KIR ligand.

HLA class I molecules and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) form a diverse system of ligands and receptors that individualize human immune systems in ways that improve the survival of individuals and populations. Human settlement of Oceania by island-hopping East and Southeast Asian migrants started ~3,500 years ago. Subsequently, New Zealand was reached ~750 years ago by ancestral Māori.

A "silent" nucleotide substitution in exon 4 is responsible for the "alternative expression" of HLA-A*01:01:38L through aberrant splicing.

A Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry donor was serologically typed, using both alloantisera and monoclonal antibodies, as human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2, A-, but typed by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific priming as HLA-A*01, A*02. Full gene sequencing of the A*01 separated allele indicated an apparently normal A*01:01:01:01 apart from a silent change at nucleotide 705 in exon 4, codon 211 (alanine: normally GCG but GCA in this donor). Sequence analysis of the amplified A*01 allele in cDNA synthesized from RNA indicated that exons 1, 2, 3, and 5 had typical A*01:01 sequences.

Advanced technology for storage and transport of purified DNA from umbilical cord blood prior to use in human leukocyte antigens typing and whole-genome microarray analysis.

Two technologies for dry-state, ambient temperature transport of biospecimens were evaluated in this study. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples from 4 individuals were transported at ambient temperature using GenPlates, and the DNA recovered was compared with DNA purified directly from granulocytes of the same UCB samples. GenTegra™ DNA tubes were then used to transport the DNA from California to North Carolina and New Zealand, either immediately after drying or following 30 days of storage at 25°C and 76°C.