HUMAN MINOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS

Disparities in minor histocompatibility antigens between HLA-matched o rgan and bone marrow donors and recipients create a potential risk for graft failure and graft-versus-host disease. These conditions necessi tate lifelong pharmacological immunosuppression of organ and bone marr ow transplant recipients. Recent technical advances have resulted in t he identification of the chemical nature of the first human minor hist ocompatibility antigens. A new era of research has begun to provide in sights into the genetics of minor antigens and their putative role in transplantation.