Allele resolution of HLA-A using oligonucleotide probes in a two-stage typing strategy

High-resolution polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific oligonucl eotide probes (PCR-SSOP) typing methods for HLA-A identification have been established. The four systems, which operate independently of each other, a re intended for use as secondary typing systems following HLA-A identificat ion with a medium-resolution PCR-SSOP technique. The systems, all using dig oxigenin-labelled probes, are based on group specific amplifications for re solution of: i) HLA-A*29 & -A*33; ii) HLA-A*24 & -A*30; and iii) HLA-A*26, -A*25, -A*11, -A*34, -A*66 and -A*68 alleles, respectively. The fourth syst em, for the detection of HLA-A*02 alleles, is a modification of a previousl y reported PCR-SSOP subtyping system. The methods have been applied to indi viduals from the local bone marrow registry and HLA-A allele frequencies fo r the Northern Ireland population have been established.