HLA-DRB1 molecules and the presentation of anchor peptides from RhD, RhCE, and KEL proteins.

BACKGROUND: Antigens from the Rh and Kell systems are recognized as the most immunogenic in clinical practice. This study evaluated the possible molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction of antigenic peptides with the DRB1 molecules, which help to explain the high frequency of anti-K and association of D + C antibodies in transfusion and incompatible pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We included 201 patients with antibodies against antigens from the Rh and Kell systems and compare them with 174,015 controls. HLA-DRB1 genotyping and in silico analysis were performed. The NetMHCIIpan software was used to identify RhD-, RhCE-, and KEL-derived anchor peptides that bind to DRB1 molecules. RESULTS: HLA-DRB1*15 is associated with an increased risk of D, C, E, and K alloimmunization, while the HLA-DRB1*01 and *12 alleles are overrepresented in patients with anti-C and anti-D, respectively. In silico analysis showed that three polymorphic points (60I, 68S, and 103S) common to C and D antigens can be presented by several DRB1 molecules, including DRB1*15:01. The DRB1*09:01 molecule, although not showing statistical significance, was able to interact strongly with almost all five anchor peptides from the sequence containing the polymorphic determinants of E antigen, except 217-WMFWPSVNS-225. CONCLUSION: The DRB1*15 molecule has specific physicochemical characteristics in residues 11P and 13R in the P4 pocket that can favor the response to various antigenic peptides. Anti-K alloimmunization is unrestricted for interaction with specific DRB1 molecules, which suggests that almost all individuals in our population have DRB1 molecules capable of binding to KEL-derived anchor peptides and produce anti-K when stimulated.

HLA-DRB1*07:01 allele is primarily associated with the Diego a alloimmunization in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: The Diego blood group presents a major polymorphic site at Residue 854, causing a proline (Di(b) antigen) to leucine (Di(a) antigen) substitution. Di(a) alloimmunization has been observed among Asian and Native South American populations. Considering that Brazilians represent a genetically diverse population, and considering that we have observed a high incidence of Di(a) alloimmunization, we typed HLA-DRB1 alleles in these patients and performed in silico studies to investigate the possible associated mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied 212 alloimmunized patients, of whom 24 presented immunoglobulin G anti-Di(a) , 15 received Di(a+) red blood cells and were not immunized, and 1008 were healthy donors. HLA typing was performed using commercial kits. In silico analyses were performed using the TEPITOPEpan software to identify Diego-derived anchor peptide binding to HLA-DRB1 molecules. Residue alignment was performed using the IMGT/HLA for amino acid identity and homology analyses. RESULTS: HLA-DRB1*07:01 allele was overrepresented in Di(a) -alloimmunized patients compared to nonimmunized patients and to healthy donors. Two motifs were predicted to be potential epitopes for Di(a) alloimmunization, the WVVKSTLAS motif was predicted to bind several HLA-DR molecules, and the FVLILTVPL motif exhibited highest affinity for the HLA-DRB1*07:01 molecule. Pocket 4 of the DRB1*07:01 molecule contained specific residues not found in other HLA-DRB1 molecules, particularly those at Positions 13(Y), 74(Q), and 78(V). CONCLUSION: Individuals carrying the HLA-DRB1*07:01 allele present an increased risk for Di(a) alloimmunization. The identification of susceptible individuals and the knowledge of potential sensitization peptides are relevant approaches for transfusion care, diagnostic purposes, and desensitization therapies.

HNA-3 gene frequencies in Brazilians and a new polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method for HNA-3a/3b genotyping.

BACKGROUND: HNA-3 antigens are the result of a rs2288904 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the CTL2, and the HNA-3a and HNA-3b variants are encoded by a guanine and adenine at Nucleotide Position 461. Anti-HNA-3 are involved in severe transfusion-related acute lung injury reactions and in neonatal alloimmune neutropenia. Since the distribution of the HNA-3 system was unknown in South Americans, in this study we determined the frequency of the HNA-3 alleles in Brazilians. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: DNA of 500 blood donors, 120 Xikrin Amerindians, 74 Japanese individuals, and 124 African Brazilians were genotyped for rs2288904 by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The PCR product was digested with enzyme Taq(α) 1, specific to nucleotide guanine (HNA-3a). RESULTS: The results showed that the frequencies of the HNA-3a/HNA-3b alleles were 0.81/0.19 in blood donors, 1.00/0.00 in Amerindians, 0.63/0.37 in Japanese, and 0.85/0.15 in African Brazilians. All 81 individuals genotyped as HNA-3a/a did not present the SNP c.457T by molecular sequencing. CONCLUSION: The frequencies of HNA-3 genotypes in Brazilian blood donors is similar to that described in Caucasians; however, all Amerindians were HNA-3a/a, African Brazilians showed a lower frequency of HNA-3b/b, and Japanese had a higher prevalence of HNA-3b/b, suggesting that they may be at risk for developing anti-HNA-3a alloantibodies.

DARC (Duffy) and BCAM (Lutheran) reduced expression in thyroid cancer.

Duffy or DARC (Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines) is a glycosylated membrane protein that selectively binds angiogenic chemokines. Previous in vivo and in vitro studies of DARC function in cancer have associated DARC over expression with better prognosis, decreased metastatic potential, and inhibition of tumor-associated neovascularization. Another carcinogenesis-associated antigen is Lutheran or BCAM (basal cell adhesion molecule), a surface glycoprotein that acts as a receptor for the extracellular matrix protein, laminin. BCAM is a protein related to tumor progression; and, its over expression is associated with skin, ovarian and pancreatic cancers. We explored DARC and BCAM functions and investigated whether or not their expressions were altered in thyroid cancer. The expression of DARC and BCAM were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) in a set of 18 normal thyroid tissues (NT), 15 follicular adenomas (FTA), 17 follicular carcinomas (FTC), and 122 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), including 78 classical (CVPTC) and 44 follicular variant (FVPTC). RNA was isolated, reverse transcribed to cDNA, and used in qPCR reactions containing SYBR Green. The relative expression value was calculated using ribosomal protein S8 as an internal control. When we compared benign (NT and FTA) versus malignant samples (FTC, CVPTC and FVPTC) we observed a significant decrease of DARC and BCAM relative expression in malignant cases. Additionally, we correlated clinic-pathological features (tumor size, presence of metastasis, presence of lymphocyte infiltrate) with DARC and BCAM expression. We found a diminished expression of DARC in PTC samples, which was correlated with tumor size and presence of a lymphocyte infiltrate. We, also, found a correlation between decreased BCAM expression and tumor size or presence of metastasis. DARC and BCAM expression was associated with pathogenesis of thyroid carcinoma and correlated with clinical-pathological features.

A PCR-based strategy for Dombrock screening in Brazilian blood donors reveals a novel allele: the DO* A-WL.

BACKGROUND: Determination of the molecular basis underlying the antigens in the Dombrock blood group system has shown various rearrangements between the alleles associated with DO(*) A and DO(*) B. Based on this, we employed a PCR-based strategy to screen DO alleles (DO(*) A, DO(*) B, HY(*) 1, HY(*) 2 and JO) in Brazilians. METHODS: We tested DNA of 278 Brazilian blood donors by PCR-RFLP on plates of 96 wells to determine the 793A/G (DO(*) A/DO(*) B), 323G/T (HY), 350C/T (JO) and 898C/G (HY(*) 1/HY(*) 2) single nucletide polymorphisms. In order to confirm the results sequence analysis was also performed. RESULTS: When samples of these donors were analyzed, a novel allele combination, the DO(*) A allele (793A and 323G) associated with 898G was identified and designated as DO(*) A-WL allele. This new allele encoding 300Val is the same as HY(*) 1 at nucleotide 898 on the molecular background of DO(*) A. Among the 556 alleles analyzed by PCR-RFLP, 3 were DO(*) A-WL and 78 were DO(*) B-WL. This represents an overall frequency of 0.5% for DO(*) A-WL and 14% for DO(*) B-WL across the population studied. CONCLUSION: Molecular screening of Brazilians revealed one novel allele, the DO(*) A-WL. Our data highlight the importance of testing a cohort of different populations to determine DO haplotypes and to establish reliable genotyping tests for predicting Do(a)/Do(b) status.

Application of noninvasive phagocytic cellular assays using autologous monocytes to assess red cell alloantibodies in sickle cell patients.

We investigated red cell (RBC) alloantibodies in 125 sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients using tube indirect antiglobulin test (PEG, LISS or enzyme) and gel centrifugation test (LISS or enzyme). Prediction of clinical significance of alloantibodies was evaluated by the monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) and the chemiluminescence test (CLT) using autologous monocytes. The alloimmunization rate was 20.8% and the gel test detected a higher number of alloantibodies than the tube test (26 v 21, p = 0.02). We observed 58.3% and 69.2% positive MMA and CLT results, respectively. Eighteen (69.2%) antibodies exhibited clinical relevance, 14 (58.3%) antibodies reacted by both MMA and CLT, while 4 (15.4%) antibodies reacted only by CLT. In conclusion, the application of phagocytic cellular assays using autologous monocytes defined clinical significance of about 70% of RBC alloantibodies detected in SCA patients. The data also suggest that the CLT may be more valuable than the MMA as a noninvasive test for predicting hemolysis after transfusion of incompatible blood in SCA patients.

A new strategy to identify rare blood donors: single polymerase chain reaction multiplex SNaPshot reaction for detection of 16 blood group alleles.

BACKGROUND: As an alternative to phenotyping, large-scale DNA-based assays, which are feasible for high-throughput donor red blood cell typing, were developed for determination of blood group polymorphisms. However, high-throughput genotyping platforms based on these technologies are still expensive and the inclusion of single nucleotide polymorphisms and analysis of the alleles depend on the manufacturer's determination. To overcome this limitation and in order to develop an assay to enable the screening of rare donors, we developed a SNaPshot assay for analysis of nine single nucleotide polymorphisms related to antigens that are difficult to assess using conventional serology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The single polymerase chain reaction multiplex SNaPshot reaction was optimized to identify nine single nucleotide polymorphisms determining 16 alleles: KEL*3/KEL*4, KEL*6/KEL*7, DI*1/DI*2, DI*3/DI*4, YT*1/YT*2, CO*1/CO*2, DO*1/DO*2, DO*4, DO*5. We designed a single multiplex PCR with primers encompassing the blood group single nucleotide polymorphisms and performed an internal reaction with probe primers able to discriminate the alleles after fragment analysis. The SNaPshot assay was validated with 140 known alleles previously determined by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: We were able to simultaneous detect nine single nucleotide polymorphisms defining 16 blood group alleles on an assay based on a multiplex PCR combined with a single base extension using genomic DNA. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates a robust genotyping strategy for conducting rare donor screening which can be applied in blood centers and could be an important tool for identifying antigen-negative donors and, therefore, for providing rare blood.

An easy and efficient strategy for KEL genotyping in a multiethnic population.

BACKGROUND: The Kell blood group system expresses high and low frequency antigens with the most important in relation to transfusion including the antithetic KEL1 and KEL2; KEL3 and KEL4; KEL6 and KEL7 antigens. Kell is a clinically relevant system, as it is highly immunogenic and anti-KEL antibodies are associated with hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Although required in some situations, Kell antigen phenotyping is restricted due to technical limitations. In these cases, molecular approaches maybe a solution. This study proposes three polymerase chain reaction genotyping protocols to analyze the single nucleotide polymorphisms responsible for six Kell antithetic antigens expressed in a Brazilian population. METHODS: DNA was extracted from 800 blood donor samples and three polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism protocols were used to genotype the KEL*1/KEL*2, KEL*3/KEL*4 and KEL*6/KEL*7 alleles. KEL*3/KEL*4 and KEL*6/KEL*7 genotyping was standardized using the NlaIII and MnlI restriction enzymes and validated using sequencing. KEL*1/KEL*2 genotyping was performed using a previously reported assay. RESULTS: KEL genotyping was successfully implemented in the service; the following distribution of KEL alleles was obtained for a population from southeastern Brazil: KEL*1 (2.2%), KEL*2 (97.8%), KEL*3 (0.69%), KEL*4 (99.31%), KEL*6 (2.69%) and KEL*7 (97.31%). Additionally, two individuals with rare genotypes, KEL*1/KEL*1 and KEL*3/KEL*3, were identified. CONCLUSION: KEL allele genotyping using these methods proved to be reliable and applicable to predict Kell antigen expressions in a Brazilian cohort. This easy and efficient strategy can be employed to provide safer transfusions and to help in rare donor screening.