Polymorphism of HLA-A, -B, -DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 haplotypes in a Croatian population.

We describe for the first time extended haplotypes in a Croatian population. The present study gives the HLA-A, -B, -DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies in 105 families with at least two offspring. All individuals were studied by conventional serology for HLA class I antigens (A and B), while class II alleles (DRB1, DQA1, DQB1) were typed using the PCR-SSOP method.

High resolution molecular typing of HLA class II region in the population of the island of Krk, Croatia.

The HLA class II alleles (DRB1, DRB3, DRB5, DQA1, and DQB1) and haplotypic associations were studied in the population of the island of Krk using the PCR-SSOP method and the 12th International Histocompatibility Workshop primers and probes. Allele and haplotypic frequencies were compared with the general Croatian population. Significant differences were observed between the population of the island of Krk and Croatians for: a) three broad specificities at DRB1 locus (DRB1*01, *15, and *07), b) one allele at DRB3 locus (DRB3*0301), c) one allele at DQA1 locus (DQA1*0201), d) one allele at DQB1 locus (DQB1*0303).

Limiting dilution analysis of human IL-2 producing T-cell precursors. Determination of hierarchical alloantigenic potential of human leukocyte antigens and evaluation of alloimune responses to single HLA-DP molecules.

Twenty nine healthy unrelated individuals were carefully selected and divided into three groups according to their HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens) phenotypes. A sensitive and reproducible limiting dilution analysis (LDA) based bioassay using CTLL-20 cells for detection of human IL-2 was set up and used to assess the hierarchical impact of highly polymorphic HLA molecules on individual's alloreactivity. Our main interest was to evaluate the role of HLA-DP molecules in this process.

Possible influence of genes located on chromosome 6 within or near to the major histocompatibility complex on development of essential hypertension.

Studies both in spontaneously hypertensive rats and in humans have suggested that genes within or near to the HLA complex on chromosome 6p may be associated and linked to the regulation of blood pressure. The aim of this study was to determine whether HLA alleles and their combinations contribute to increased blood pressure, as well as to identify chromosome region that may contain genes involved in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. Our results suggest that presence of HLA-DRB1*0101/2 DQB1*0501/2 DQA1*0102 allelic combination represents risk factor for development of essential hypertension in Slovenians, while the risk is decreased in individuals possessing HLA-DRB1*1601/2 DQB1*0502 DQA1*0102 or DRB3*.

Distribution of alleles at two microsatellite loci (D6S273 and TNFa) in Croatian population.

Polymorphism at the level of two microsatellite loci (D6S273 and TNFa) was studied in Croatian population. The most frequent alleles at D6S273 locus are D6S273 134 bp and 136 bp, while at TNFa locus two most frequent alleles are TNFa 117 bp and 99 bp. This study confirms the irregularity in distribution of microsatellite alleles in different populations with the predominance of two or three alleles on these two investigated microsatellite loci.

HLA class II gene and haplotype diversity in the population of the island of Hvar, Croatia.

The DRB1, DRB3, DRB5, DQA1 and DQB1 allele polymorphisms were analysed in 3 western and 3 eastern villages of the island of Hvar using PCR-SSOP method and 12th International Workshop primers and probes. Three DQB1 alleles (*0304, *0305, *0607) detected in the population of the island of Hvar (HP) have not yet been observed in general Croatian population (GCP). Significant differences were observed between two regions of Hvar for: a) DRB1*0701 allele (p < 0.

Assignment of HLA-antigens in CREGs facilitates the detection of acceptable mismatches in highly sensitized patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether in highly sensitized patients (HSPs) the acceptable HLA-A and -B mismatches (AMs) can be predicted on the basis of patients' HLA-phenotype. To this affect, 1000 historical serum samples obtained from 50 HSPs (PRA > 60%), panel reactive antibodies (PRA) value and the specificity of class I anti-HLA-antibodies were detected by two techniques in parallel: An anti-human globulin augmented cytotoxicity (AHG-CDC) and an Elisa technique. Thereafter, class I HLA-antigens of the nonreactive cells in the screening panel and class I HLA-antigens of the patients were assigned to CREGs.

Analysis of fine-needle aspiration biopsies by flow cytometry in kidney transplant patients.

Background: Peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) analysis by flow cytometry has been inconsistently reported as an adjunctive method for diagnosing acute kidney transplant rejection. However, there is good evidence that lymphocytes infiltrating renal grafts differ from those found at the peripheral level. We hypothesized that the study of aspiration biopsy samples in conjunction with PBL by flow cytometry would enable us to diagnose acute rejection crisis reliably.

Molecular analysis of HLA class II polymorphism in Croatians.

HLA-class II polymorphisms have been studied in a population of 141 unrelated healthy Croatians using PCR amplification, followed by non-radioactive oligonucleotide hybridization. Thirty one DRB1, 8 DQA1, 13 DQB1 and 16 DPB1 alleles were found in the tested population. DRB1*1601, 0701, 1501, 0101 and 1104 are the most frequent alleles at the DRB1 locus.

Qualitative analyses of cellular immune functions in equine infectious anemia show homology with AIDS.

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a disease caused by a lymphocytotropic lentivirus which belongs to the same subfamily as HIV. Because of the very close relationship of their predicted gag and pol gene products and similarities in clinical manifestations of the disease, EIA served as a model to study immunological events involved in the host defence against lymphocytotropic viral infections. The existence of antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against autologous EIA virus infected lymphoblasts was demonstrated in vitro at the beginning of an acute attack of the disease.

HLA and red blood group antigens in pregnancy disorders.

Total of 356 women with various types of pregnancy disorders as well as their husbands were classified in four groups regarding the type of the disorder as follows: 1. Recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) of unknown etiology (N = 105) and RSA - primary aborters only (N = 84); 2. Blighted ovum (N = 80); 3.