Integrate CRISPR/Cas9 for protein expression of HLA-B*38:68Q via precise gene editing.

The determination of null- or low-expressed HLA alleles is clinically relevant in both hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and solid organ transplantation. We studied the expression level of a questionable (Q) HLA-B*38:68Q allele, which carries a 9-nucleotide (nt) deletion at codon 230-232 in exon 4 of HLA-B*38:01:01:01 using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of HLA-B*38:01:01:01 homozygous EBV B cell line resulted in one HLA-B*38:68Q/B*38:01:01:01 heterozygous and one HLA-B*38:68Q homozygous clone. Flow cytometric analysis of monoclonal anti-Bw4 antibody showed the protein expression of HLA-B*38:01:01:01 in homozygous cells was 2.2 fold higher than HLA-B*38:68Q/B*38:01:01:01 heterozygous cells, and the expression of HLA-B*38:68Q/B*38:01:01:01 heterozygous cells was over 2.0 fold higher than HLA-B*38:68Q homozygous cells. The HLA-B*38:68Q expression was further confirmed using anti-B38 polyclonal antibody. Similarly, the expression of the HLA-B*38:01:01:01 homozygous cells was 1.5 fold higher than that of HLA-B*38:68Q/B*38:01:01:01 heterozygous cells, and the HLA-B*38:68Q/B*38:01:01:01 heterozygous cells was over 1.6 fold higher than that of HLA-B*38:68Q homozygous cells. The treatment of HLA-B*38:68Q homozygous cells with IFN-γ significantly increased its expression. In conclusion, we demonstrate that HLA-B*38:68Q is a low-expressing HLA allele. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a useful tool to induce precise gene editing in HLA genes to enable the characterization of HLA gene variants on expression and function.

Back pain in psoriatic arthritis: defining prevalence, characteristics and performance of inflammatory back pain criteria in psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the agreement between rheumatologist-judged inflammatory back pain (IBP) and criteria defining IBP in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and predictive value of IBP in identifying axial involvement in PsA. METHODS: Using prospectively collected data, we investigated the agreement between rheumatologist judgement of IBP and IBP criteria (Calin, Rudwaleit and Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society) using the kappa coefficient. We also determined the sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios of the presence of back pain, rheumatologist-judged IBP and the three IBP criteria for detecting axial PsA (AxPsA). Finally, we compared the clinical and genetic markers in patients with PsA with axial radiological changes with and without back pain. RESULTS: 171 patients (52% male, mean age 46.6 years) were identified. Ninety-six (56.13%) patients reported chronic back pain. Sixty-five (38.01%) had IBP. 54 (32%) patients had evidence of radiological change in the spine. The agreement between rheumatologist judgement of IBP and IBP criteria was highest for the Calin criteria (0.70). Positive likelihood ratio for the presence of radiological axial involvement was highest for Rudwaleit criteria (2.17). No differences between patients with AxPsA with or without back pain were found, except for higher Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and lower prevalence of human leucocyte antigen-B*38 in those with back pain. CONCLUSION: Rheumatologist-judged IBP or the criteria for IBP developed for ankylosing spondylitis may not perform well when ascertaining axial involvement in PsA.

A novel HLA-B*38 variant, B*38:15, detected in a Taiwanese individual.

One nucleotide substitution at residue 346 of HLA-B*38:02:01 results in a novel allele, HLA-B*38:15.

Characterization of the peptide binding specificity of the HLA class I alleles B*38:01 and B*39:06.

B*38:01 and B*39:06 are present with phenotypic frequencies <2% in the general population, but are of interest as B*39:06 is the B allele most associated with type 1 diabetes susceptibility and 38:01 is most protective. A previous study derived putative main anchor motifs for both alleles based on peptide elution data. The present study has utilized panels of single amino acid substitution peptide libraries to derive detailed quantitative motifs accounting for both primary and secondary influences on peptide binding. From these analyses, both alleles were confirmed to utilize the canonical position 2/C-terminus main anchor spacing. B*38:01 preferentially bound peptides with the positively charged or polar residues H, R, and Q in position 2 and the large hydrophobic residues I, F, L, W, and M at the C-terminus. B*39:06 had a similar preference for R in position 2, but also well-tolerated M, Q, and K. A more dramatic contrast between the two alleles was noted at the C-terminus, where the specificity of B*39:06 was clearly for small residues, with A as most preferred, followed by G, V, S, T, and I. Detailed position-by-position and residue-by-residue coefficient values were generated from the panels to provide detailed quantitative B*38:01 and B*39:06 motifs. It is hoped that these detailed motifs will facilitate the identification of T cell epitopes recognized in the context of two class I alleles associated with dramatically different dispositions towards type 1 diabetes, offering potential avenues for the investigation of the role of CD8 T cells in this disease.

Genetic contribution to multiple sclerosis risk among Ashkenazi Jews.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, with a strong genetic component. Over 100 genetic loci have been implicated in susceptibility to MS in European populations, the most prominent being the 15:01 allele of the HLA-DRB1 gene. The prevalence of MS is high in European populations including those of Ashkenazi origin, and low in African and Asian populations including those of Jewish origin. METHODS: Here we identified and extracted a total of 213 Ashkenazi MS cases and 546 ethnically matched healthy control individuals from two previous genome-wide case-control association analyses, and 72 trios (affected proband and two unaffected parents) from a previous genome-wide transmission disequilibrium association study, using genetic data to define Ashkenazi. We compared the pattern of genetic risk between Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi Europeans. We also sought to identify novel Ashkenazi-specific risk loci by performing association tests on the subset of Ashkenazi cases, controls, probands, and parents from each study. RESULTS: The HLA-DRB1*15:01 allele and the non-HLA risk alleles were present at relatively low frequencies among Ashkenazi and explained a smaller fraction of the population-level risk when compared to non-Ashkenazi Europeans. Alternative HLA susceptibility alleles were identified in an Ashkenazi-only association study, including HLA-A*68:02 and one or both genes in the HLA-B*38:01-HLA-C*12:03 haplotype. The genome-wide screen in Ashkenazi did not reveal any loci associated with MS risk. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that genetic susceptibility to MS in Ashkenazi Jews has not been as well established as that of non-Ashkenazi Europeans. This implies value in studying large well-characterized Ashkenazi populations to accelerate gene discovery in complex genetic diseases.

Relationship between primary nodal generalized osteoarthritis with tissue antigens HLA-A and HLA-B in the western Black Sea region of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between patients diagnosed with nodal generalized osteoarthritis (NGOA) and tissue antigens HLA-A and HLA-B in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients with NGOA (64.74±8.46) and 60 controls (62.32±6.8) were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were: (i) stage 2 and higher OA of the hand and knee based on the Kellgren-Lawrence classification, and (ii) stage 2 and higher lumbar disc degeneration according to Lawrence classification. Family histories were taken from patients. HLA-A and HLA-B were typed by PCR using sequence specific primer. RESULTS: The frequencies of HLA-A(*)02 and HLA-B(*)38 were 58.7% and 15.2%, respectively, in patients with NGOA, and there was a statistically significant relationship between the disease and HLA-A(*)02 and HLA-B(*)38. The relationship between positive family history and HLA-B(*)44 allele was also statistically significant. In the control group, the frequency of HLA-A(*)29 was 11.7% and it was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate the epidemiologic association between HLA-A(*)02 and HLA-B(*)38 with NGOA in our population. We conclude that, HLA-B(*)44 positivity may be associated with familial NGOA and HLA-A(*)29 may be a preventive factor against NGOA.

The immunogenicity of a viral cytotoxic T cell epitope is controlled by its MHC-bound conformation.

Thousands of potentially antigenic peptides are encoded by an infecting pathogen; however, only a small proportion induce measurable CD8(+) T cell responses. To investigate the factors that control peptide immunogenicity, we have examined the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to a previously undefined epitope ((77)APQPAPENAY(86)) from the BZLF1 protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This peptide binds well to two human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) allotypes, HLA-B*3501 and HLA-B*3508, which differ by a single amino acid at position 156 ((156)Leucine vs. (156)Arginine, respectively). Surprisingly, only individuals expressing HLA-B*3508 show evidence of a CTL response to the (77)APQPAPENAY(86) epitope even though EBV-infected cells expressing HLA-B*3501 process and present similar amounts of peptide for CTL recognition, suggesting that factors other than peptide presentation levels are influencing immunogenicity. Functional and structural analysis revealed marked conformational differences in the peptide, when bound to each HLA-B35 allotype, that are dictated by the polymorphic HLA residue 156 and that directly affected T cell receptor recognition. These data indicate that the immunogenicity of an antigenic peptide is influenced not only by how well the peptide binds to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules but also by its bound conformation. It also illustrates a novel mechanism through which MHC polymorphism can further diversify the immune response to infecting pathogens.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated familial Hodgkin lymphoma: paediatric onset in three of five siblings.

We report familial Hodgkin lymphoma (FHL) in a family with five children, of which three were human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I identical. These three siblings were diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Hodgkin lymphoma within a 6-year period. All three were treated with chemo- and/or radiotherapy and are presently in complete remission. None of the children had evidence of overt immunodeficiency or autoimmune disease. This case contributes to the existing material on FHL and implies a role for both HLA class I antigens and EBV infection of the tumour cell population in the pathogenesis of some cases of FHL.

Differential expression of melanoma-associated antigens and molecules involved in antigen processing and presentation in three cell lines established from a single patient.

Tumour cells are able to evade the immune system by using several 'escape mechanisms'. Downregulation of molecules involved in the processing and presentation of self-antigens has been reported. However, these adaptations have not been compared in metastases in different anatomical locations but derived from a single patient. We investigated three melanoma cell lines--MJT1 from the parietal lobe of the brain, MJT3 from the cerebellum and MJT5 from the left side of the neck--established from biopsies excised from a 45 year old female patient. Although human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I was detected in all three cell lines by flow cytometry using an anti-HLA monomorphic antibody, further serological analysis demonstrated HLA B38 loss in all three cell lines, HLA B7 downregulation in MJT5 (skin metastases) and B7 loss in MJT3 and MJT1 (brain metastases) compared with the HLA type of the patient's normal autologous lymphocytes. Interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) treatment increased the expression of HLA class I and transporters associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1) in all three cell lines. De novo HLA class II molecule expression was observed after IFNgamma treatment in MJT3 and MJT5. Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results revealed heterogeneity of melanoma-associated antigen (MAA) expression in the cell lines: MJT3 cells expressed higher levels of MAAs than the other two cell lines. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that three metastatic lesions from a single patient can have differential expression of molecules involved in antigen processing (TAP1) and presentation (HLA I and II), but that expression of these molecules is modulated by IFNgamma to a similar degree in all cell lines. In contrast, the downregulation of expression of specific MAAs between the three cell lines was unaffected by the addition of IFNgamma.

New HLA-B alleles detected by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide typing: HLA-B*0725, B*0728, and B*3808.

Three novel alleles, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*0725, B*0728, and B*3808, were discovered during routine genotyping of samples for the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry and Australian Cord Blood Bank. The new alleles contain amino acid changes in the antigen-binding site of the expressed HLA protein, which may alter the antigen-binding properties of the functional protein.

MICA rather than MICB, TNFA, or HLA-DRB1 is associated with susceptibility to psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the genetic contribution of HLA in development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to study whether MICA is primarily associated with PsA or whether its association is secondary to linkage disequilibrium with centromeric genes, such as MICB, TNFA, or HLA-DRB1. METHODS: DNA samples from 81 Spanish patients with PsA and 110 healthy controls were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence-specific primers to type HLA-Cw and HLA-DRB1, PCR sequence-specific oligonucleotides to determine HLA-B, and PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism for tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoter polymorphisms at positions -238 and -308. Analysis of microsatellite polymorphisms in the transmembrane region of MICA and in intron 1 of MICB was also carried out. RESULTS: HLA-Cw*0602 was significantly increased in PsA [60% vs 17%; p(c) < 0.00002, OR 7.33, etiological fraction (EF) 0.52]. MICA-A9 (60% vs 30%; p(c) = 0.0002, OR 3.57, EF 0.43) and the microsatellite MICB-CA-22 allele (23% vs 7%; p(c) = 0.028, OR 3.9, EF 0.17) were also significantly increased in PsA. MICA-A9 was in linkage disequilibrium with MICB-CA-22 (delta = 0.6). The association of MICA-A9 was independent of MICB-CA-22 and Cw*0602, since it was also associated in MICB-CA-22 negative (p(c) = 0.0015, OR 2.96, EF 0.34) and in Cw*0602 negative patients (p(c) = 0.034, OR 2.83, EF 0.34). TNFA and DRB I alleles were not significantly associated with PsA. CONCLUSION: Cw*0602 and MICA-A9 appear to be the strongest genetic susceptibility factors for PsA. However, MICA-A9 was associated independently of Cw6. HLA-B alleles and MICB-CA22 are associated secondarily to linkage with MICA. TNFA and HLA-DRB1 were not associated with PsA susceptibility, and our data suggest that their reported association may only reflect the linkage disequilibrium with MICA-A9 among the different populations studied.

Two new HLA class I alleles recognised by PCR sequence-specific primer and sequencing based typing: B*3805 and Cw*0408.

Two new HLA class I alleles have been recognised by molecular-based typing. B*3805 was initially identified by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) and afterwards confirmed by sequencing based typing (SBT) studies in a Spanish Caucasian blood cord unit. A unique nucleotide change throughout exons 2, 3 and 4, leading to the amino acid replacement Ser11Ala, differentiates B*3801 and *3805. This position behaves as a dimorphic residue in HLA-B and -C loci, and seems to be structurally unrelated to peptide and TcR recognition. Cw*0408 was first detected by SBT in two African American bone marrow donors in combination with its most structurally related allele, Cw*04011. The single amino acid change found between Cw*04011 and Cw*0408 was Thr163Leu, a residue involved in pocket A of the peptide-binding cleft. This new allele could be the result of a gene conversion event between Cw*04011 and any of the Cw*03 alleles.

Novel HLA-B alleles associated with antigens in the 8C CREG.

This paper describes 13 novel HLA-B locus alleles, B*0809, B*0812, B*0813, B*0814, B*14062, B*3804, B*3806, B*3914, B*3915, B*3918, B*3919, B*3920, and B*3922 which represent new patterns of known polymorphic residues.

Allograft loss in renal transplant recipients with Fabry's disease and activated protein C resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Fabry's disease is associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events and rejection. Spontaneous thrombosis of a functioning cadaveric renal allograft in a recipient with Fabry's disease prompted prospective evaluation of all transplant candidates with Fabry's disease for hypercoagulability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transplant candidates with Fabry's disease were tested for hypercoagulability, analyzed for HLA-type and ABO group, and comorbid conditions suggestive of hypercoagulability. RESULTS: A unique association of Fabry's disease with activated protein C Resistance was documented in a cohort of Caucasian male renal transplant recipients with Fabry's disease. Four of five patients were blood group A and had no significant comorbid conditions suggestive of hypercoagulability. The resistance to activation of protein C (APCR)(+) patients shared HLA loci-B8 and Dr3, although the APCR(-) patients shared HLA loci-B27 and -B38. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the observed increase in the incidence of APCR in our Fabry's cohort, we suggest screening all patients with Fabry's disease for APCR. Because factor V and factor Va receptors are found on vascular endothelium and peripheral blood monocytes, APCR in the presence of Fabry's disease may be a nonimmunological stimulus for rejection. Analysis of HLA typing in patients with Fabry's disease may further elucidate HLA-based association of Fabry's disease and resistance to activated protein C with the risk of thrombosis and rejection.

HLA-B38 and clozapine-induced agranulocytosis in Israeli Jewish schizophrenic patients.

To further substantiate reports of an association between the major histocompatibility complex subtypes and clozapine-induced agranulocytosis, HLA typing was performed in 61 Jewish Israeli schizophrenic patients, in 11 of whom agranulocytosis developed following clozapine treatment and in 50 (controls) of whom it did not. Of the 11 agranulocytosis patients, seven (63%) were of Ashkenazi origin and four (37%) of Sephardi origin. There was no difference in ethnic origin between the arganulocytosis and non-agranulocytosis groups (chi 2 = 2.4, d.f. = 1, P = 0.11), although the agranulocytosis patients had a higher frequency of the HLA B38 antigen (8/11 or 72% vs. 6/50 or 12%; chi 2 = 18.7, d.f. = 1, P < 0.001). These results suggest that major histocompatibility complex gene products could be involved in clozapine-mediated haematological complications.

HLA associations in clozapine-induced agranulocytosis.

We previously reported preliminary results of association of clozapine-induced agranulocytosis (CA) with HLA-B38, DR4, DQ3 in five Ashkenazi Jewish patients and with HLA-DR2, DQ1 in four non-Jewish patients. In the present study, 31 additional patients with CA, 10 Ashkenazi Jewish, and 21 of non-Jewish ancestry, were studied. HLA alleles and haplotypes were compared among 52 patients (33 Ashkenazi Jewish, 19 non-Jewish) matched for ethnic background and clinical status. Our results show two associations and define the HLA allele markers for the Ashkenazi Jewish and non-Jewish haplotypes associated with CA. The most important markers for susceptibility for CA in Ashkenazi Jewish patients were DRB1*0402, DQB1*0302, and DQA1*0301, and in non-Jewish patients, HLA-DR*02, DQB1*0502, and DQA1*0102. HLA-DRB1*011 and DQB1*0301 were underrepresented in Ashkenazi Jewish patients when compared with controls. We hypothesize that genes of the major histocompatability complex, other than class I and class II, are responsible for CA; among them are the variants of the heat-shock proteins 70 or the tumor necrosis factor loci.

HLA class I self peptides isolated from a T-cell leukemia reveal the allele-specific motif of HLA-B38.

Naturally-processed self peptides bound to HLA class I molecules of a T-cell leukemia (HLA-A1, A31, B38, B58) were isolated for sequence analysis. Acid-eluted peptides were subjected to reversed-phase HPLC separation and single-fraction sequencing was performed by Edman degradation. The peptides were found to be mostly nonamers and could be grouped into three distinct structural motifs. One of the peptide groups consistently displayed histidine at position 2 and a bulky hydrophobic residue at the C-terminus (XHXPXXXXY/F). The only HLA class I structure expressed by this T-cell leukemia which is consistent with the binding of peptides carrying this sequence motif is HLA-B38. A peptide binding assay confirmed this assignment. HLA-B38 is present in 10-12% of the Jewish population and is associated with several autoimmune disorders. The HLA-B38 motif may be an important tool for identifying potential T-cell epitopes involved in these diseases and for designing peptide vaccines.

HLA-B67: a member of the HLA-B16 family that expresses the ME1 epitope.

HLA-B67 is an uncommon antigen that has been defined by serological crossreactivity with the HLA-B7 and HLA-B16 (B38 and B39) antigens. It is found at highest frequency in certain Oriental populations and has been best defined in the Japanese. Nucleotide sequencing of cDNA encoding B67 reveals the B*6701 allele to be a subtype of B39 which differs from B*39011 by substitution at residues 67-71 of the alpha 1 helix. In the region of difference B*6701 is identical in sequence to B7, B22, B27 and related molecules that express the epitope recognized by the ME1 monoclonal antibody. That the HLA-B67 molecule binds strongly to the ME1 antibody was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation and cell surface binding assays. Identical B*6701 nucleotide sequences were obtained for the B67 alleles isolated from 2 unrelated Japanese and 1 North American caucasoid.