Immunogenetics of Psoriatic Arthritis

The concept of psoriatic arthritis is reviewed in terms of its clinical manifestations, genetic basis as determined by HLA antigens, and immunological responses.     

Influence of Histocompatibility Antigens in Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion Couples and on Their Reproductive Performances

PROBLEM: To determine if human leukocyte antigens (HLA) play any role in the aetiology of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), a substantial group of RSA couples were studied, and their reproductive performances in a 3-year follow-up recorded. METHODS: HLA typing was performed for HLA-A, -B, and DR antigens in both partners of 75 couples with unexplained RSA, and compared with a control group of 30 fertile couples that never experienced abortion. A further 57 couples of this group were studied for their reproductive performance in a 3-year follow-up, and subdivided into three subgroups: 1) couples that achieved successful pregnancy during the follow-up; 2) couples that experienced abortion and no livebirth during the follow-up; and 3) couples that experienced infertility during the follow-up. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for antigen frequency in all the different HLA loci, and HLA antigen sharing between all the RSA couples and controls. Significant increase of sharing for HLA-DR locus was observed in the couples that aborted during the follow-up with respect to the couples that achieved livebirth and controls (P < 0.03 and P < 0.02 respectively), and significantly increased frequency of B44, DR5 antigen combination in the same comparison (P < 0.03). No significant differences were observed in terms of the interval between conceptions in couples without antigen sharing with respect to couples with 1, 2 or more antigens shared, and antigen sharing in Locus A, B or DR. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that gene(s) disadvantageous for reproduction may exist between the HLA-B and -DR chromosomal region which influences the pregnancy outcome in RSA couples, and that HLA-antigen sharing itself does not influence the outcome.     

HLA-antigen distribution in seminoma,HCG-positive seminoma and non-seminomatous tumours of the testis

Summary Histocompatibility antigens play a certain role in the development of testicular tumours. 151 patients with testicular cancer (86 non-seminomatous germ cell tumours—NSGCT-and 65 pure seminoma) were typed for the HLA-antigens of the A, B, C and DR locus. 24 patients of the pure seminoma group and 50 patients of the NSGCT group had an elevated serum HCG level preoperatively. The antigen DR-5 was elevated in the seminoma group whereas the incidence of B-13 was increased in the NSGCT group. In terms of antigen distribution HCG-positive seminoma resembles seminomatous tumours rather than NSGCT.     

支气管哮喘与HLA-DPB_1基因相关性的研究

目的：探讨辽宁沈阳地区汉族支气管哮喘患者的人类白细胞抗原（human leukocyte antigen,HLA）-DPB1的相关性。方法：采用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应（polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer,PCR-SSP）技术检测辽宁沈阳地区汉族100例支气管哮喘患者及100例健康者HLA-DPB1＊0201等位基因频率。结果：哮喘组HLA-DPB1＊0201基因频率（4%）显著低于对照组（25%）（P〈0.05）。结论：提示HLA-DPB1＊0201基因可能为辽宁沈阳汉族支气管哮喘患者的保护性基因。     

HLA单倍体相合非体外去T细胞外周血干细胞移植治疗恶性血液病36例

目的 探讨亲属间HLA单倍体相合外周血干细胞移植(PBSCT)治疗恶性血液病的疗效.方法 恶性血液病患者36例,中位年龄25(11～48)岁,供受者人类白细胞抗原(HLA)配型1个位点不合者7例,2～3个位点不合者29例.移植方案采用清髓性预处理及联合免疫抑制剂预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)进行非体外去T细胞的PBSCT,移植的CD34+细胞中位数为11(4.16～21.00)×106/kg.结果 36例患者均获得完全、持久供者造血干细胞植入,发生急性GVHD(aGVHD)15例(41.7%),均为Ⅰ～Ⅱ度;在随访时间超过18个月的29例患者中发生慢性GVHD(cGVHD)17例(58.6%).移植后T、B、NK细胞亚群下降及恢复与HLA位点全相合移植患者差异无统计学意义.36例患者中位随访时间为15(4～69)个月,复发5例,累计复发率为13.9%.现无白血病存活30例,2年预期总无白血病生存率(LFS)为82.2%.结论 应用清髓性预处理联合多种免疫抑制剂进行非体外去T细胞亲属间HLA单倍体相合PBSCT是治疗恶性血液病安全有效的方案.     

Platelets do not adsorb HLA class I molecules during storage of pooled platelet concentrates

The origin of HLA class I molecules on platelets is still under discussion. Adsorption of HLA molecules on platelets using specific experimental conditions has been described. The study presented investigates whether there is a significant elution and adsorption of HLA class I molecules on platelets during storage of pooled random platelet concentrates (PRPC) under routine conditions. Platelet concentrates (PCs) from whole blood were prepared from HLA-A2-positive and HLA-A2-negative donors, pooled and stored under routine conditions. In addition, platelets from HLA-A2-negative donors were pelleted and resuspended in cell-free plasma from HLA-A2-positive donors. HLA-A2-positive PCs (positive control), HLA-A2-negative PCs (negative control) and HLA-A2-negative platelets in plasma from HLA-A2-negative donors were stored simultaneously. Binding of FITC-conjugated monoclonal murine antihuman HLA-A2 antibodies (anti-HLA-A2-mab) was measured during 5-day storage by flow cytometry. An increased binding of anti-HLA-A2-mab during storage was found on HLA-A2-negative platelets (P < 0.005) independently whether they were incubated with cell-free plasma or platelets from HLA-A2-positive donors or autologous HLA-A2-negative cell-free plasma. However, non-specific binding of IgG controls increased equally, whereas anti-HLA-A2-mab binding to platelets from HLA-A2-positive donors did not decrease during storage. This study suggests that there is no significant elution and adsorption of HLA class I antigens of platelets in pooled PCs during storage under the usual conditions for platelet storage. Increased anti-HLA-A2-mab signal was due to non-specific binding. Therefore, HLA class I compatible platelets should maintain their compatibility for an immunized patient when stored in a pool with HLA incompatible platelets and shortened survival after transfusion should not be expected.