Minor histocompatibility antigens HA-8 and PANE1 in the TUNISIAN population.

Background: Minor histocompatibility antigens (mHAgs) are endogenous immunogenic peptides initially identified due to complications detected in several contexts of HLA geno-identical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this study, we chose to examine the molecular polymorphism of the mHAgs HA-8 and PANE1 in the Tunisian population.

Material And Methods: This study was conducted on 150 healthy and unrelated individuals.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) locus profiles in the Tunisian population.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a family of inhibitory and activatory receptors that are expressed by most natural killer (NK) cells. The KIR gene family is polymorphic: genomic diversity is achieved through differences in gene content and allelic polymorphism. The number of KIR loci has been reported to vary among individuals, resulting in different KIR haplotypes.

Minor histocompatibility antigens in Tunisians: could platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 marker be one of them?

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1/CD31) is one of the human minor histocompatibility antigens that are the main targets of alloreactive T-cells after hematopoietic stem cells or solid organs transplantation. In order to investigate its polymorphism in Tunisians, three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs668, rs12953 and rs1131012) were selected to perform an allele and haplotype analysis. Hundred-and-forty-two healthy and unrelated subjects were enrolled in this survey.

HA-1 and HA-2 minor histocompatibility antigens in Tunisians.

Minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHAgs), such as HA-1 and HA-2, are the main targets of immune responses after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). HA-1 and HA-2 are two hematopoietic system-restricted antigens encoded, respectively, by HMHA1 and MYO1G genes. In order to estimate their frequencies in Tunisians, we performed a molecular-based allele analysis for 160 healthy and unrelated subjects.

Duffy blood group system genotyping in an urban Tunisian population.

Background: The Duffy blood group system, besides its relevance in transfusion medicine, is of major interest for population genetics. In fact, the Duffy molecule is the only red cell receptor for Plasmodium vivax, thus the fixation of FY*silent allele in western south-Saharan Africa resulted in the absence of this type of malaria in that area (for a review see Kwiatowski, Am J Hum Genet 77:171-192, 2005). For the Duffy functional role see, for example, Daniels (Vox Sanguinis 93:331-340, 2007).