HLA ALLELE DETECTION USING MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES

There are now many molecular biological techniques available to define HLA class I and class II alleles. Some of these are also applicable t o other human polymorphic genes, in particular to those non-HLA genes encoded within the Mhc. The range of techniques available allows labor atories to choose those most suited to their purpose. The routine labo ratory supporting solid organ transplants will need to type large numb ers of potential recipients over a period of time, probably using PCR- SSOP while donors will be typed singly and rapidly using PCR-SSP with HLA allele compatibility determined by heteroduplex analysis. Laborato ries supporting bone marrow transplantation, where time is less pressi ng, can choose from the whole range of techniques to determine accurat ely donor recipient Mhc compatibility. For disease studies, techniques defining precise HLA allele sequence polymorphisms are needed and hig h sample numbers have to be accommodated. When an association is estab lished allele sequencing has to be used. In the near future, the preci se role of HLA alleles in transplantation and disease susceptibility i s likely to be established unambiguously.