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Geo JA, Ameen R, Al Shemmari S, Thomas J. Advancements in HLA Typing Techniques and Their Impact on Transplantation Medicine. Med Princ Pract 2024; 33:215-231. [PMID: 38442703 DOI: 10.1159/000538176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
HLA typing serves as a standard practice in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to ensure compatibility between donors and recipients, preventing the occurrence of allograft rejection and graft-versus-host disease. Conventional laboratory methods that have been widely employed in the past few years, including sequence-specific primer PCR and sequencing-based typing (SBT), currently face the risk of becoming obsolete. This risk stems not only from the extensive diversity within HLA genes but also from the rapid advancement of next-generation sequencing and third-generation sequencing technologies. Third-generation sequencing systems like single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing and Oxford Nanopore (ONT) sequencing have the capability to analyze long-read sequences that span entire intronic-exonic regions of HLA genes, effectively addressing challenges related to HLA ambiguity and the phasing of multiple short-read fragments. The growing dominance of these advanced sequencers in HLA typing is expected to solidify further through ongoing refinements, cost reduction, and error rate minimization. This review focuses on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and explores prospective advancements and application of HLA DNA typing techniques. It explores how the adoption of third-generation sequencing technologies can revolutionize the field by offering improved accuracy, reduced ambiguity, and enhanced assessment of compatibility in HSCT. Embracing these cutting-edge technologies is essential to advancing the success rates and outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This review underscores the importance of staying at the forefront of HLA typing techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients undergoing HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeethu Anu Geo
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Department of Biotechnology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, India
| | - Reem Ameen
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Salem Al Shemmari
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Jibu Thomas
- Department of Biotechnology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, India
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Alowaysi M, Lehmann R, Al-Shehri M, Baadhaim M, Alzahrani H, Aboalola D, Zia A, Malibari D, Daghestani M, Alghamdi K, Haneef A, Jawdat D, Hakami F, Gomez-Cabrero D, Tegner J, Alsayegh K. HLA-based banking of induced pluripotent stem cells in Saudi Arabia. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:374. [PMID: 38111036 PMCID: PMC10729375 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03612-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human iPSCs' derivation and use in clinical studies are transforming medicine. Yet, there is a high cost and long waiting time associated with autologous iPS-based cellular therapy, and the genetic engineering of hypo-immunogenic iPS cell lines is hampered with numerous hurdles. Therefore, it is increasingly interesting to create cell stocks based on HLA haplotype distribution in a given population. This study aimed to assess the potential of HLA-based iPS banking for the Saudi population. METHODS In this study, we interrogated the HLA database of the Saudi Stem Cell Donor Registry (SSCDR), containing high-resolution HLA genotype data from 64,315 registered Saudi donors at the time of analysis. This database was considered to be a representative sample of the Saudi population. The most frequent HLA haplotypes in the Saudi population were determined, and an in-house developed iterative algorithm was used to identify their HLA matching percentages in the SSCDR database and cumulative coverage. Subsequently, to develop a clinically relevant protocol for iPSCs generation, and to illustrate the applicability of the concept of HLA-based banking for cell therapy purposes, the first HLA-based iPS cell line in Saudi Arabia was generated. Clinically relevant methods were employed to generate the two iPS clones from a homozygous donor for the most prevalent HLA haplotype in the Saudi population. The generated lines were then assessed for pluripotency markers, and their ability to differentiate into all three germ layers, beating cardiomyocytes, and neural progenitors was examined. Additionally, the genetic stability of the HLA-iPS cell lines was verified by comparing the mutational burden in the clones and the original blood sample, using whole-genome sequencing. The standards set by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) were used to determine the clinical significance of identified variants. RESULTS The analysis revealed that the establishment of only 13 iPSC lines would match 30% of the Saudi population, 39 lines would attain 50% coverage, and 596 lines would be necessary for over 90% coverage. The proof-of-concept HLA-iPSCs, which cover 6.1% of the Saudi population, successfully demonstrated pluripotency and the ability to differentiate into various cell types including beating cardiomyocytes and neuronal progenitors. The comprehensive genetic analysis corroborated that all identified variants in the derived iPSCs were inherently present in the original donor sample and were classified as benign according to the standards set by the ACMG. CONCLUSIONS Our study sets a road map for introducing iPS-based cell therapy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It underscores the pragmatic approach of HLA-based iPSC banking which circumvents the limitations of autologous iPS-based cellular therapies. The successful generation and validation of iPSC lines based on the most prevalent HLA haplotype in the Saudi population signify a promising step toward broadening the accessibility and applicability of stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine in Saudi Arabia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Alowaysi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard for Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Robert Lehmann
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Al-Shehri
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard for Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moayad Baadhaim
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard for Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hajar Alzahrani
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard for Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Doaa Aboalola
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard for Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asima Zia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dalal Malibari
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard for Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa Daghestani
- Molecular Medicine Section, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled Alghamdi
- Forensic Laboratories, Criminal Evidence Department, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Haneef
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard for Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dunia Jawdat
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard for Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad Hakami
- Molecular Medicine Section, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - David Gomez-Cabrero
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jesper Tegner
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled Alsayegh
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard for Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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Cavaleiro C, Afonso GJM, Oliveira PJ, Valero J, Mota SI, Ferreiro E. Urine-derived stem cells in neurological diseases: current state-of-the-art and future directions. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1229728. [PMID: 37965041 PMCID: PMC10642248 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1229728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells have potential applications in the field of neurological diseases, as they allow for the development of new biological models. These models can improve our understanding of the underlying pathologies and facilitate the screening of new therapeutics in the context of precision medicine. Stem cells have also been applied in clinical tests to repair tissues and improve functional recovery. Nevertheless, although promising, commonly used stem cells display some limitations that curb the scope of their applications, such as the difficulty of obtention. In that regard, urine-derived cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, their obtaining can be challenging due to the low yield and complexity of the multi-phased and typically expensive differentiation protocols. As an alternative, urine-derived stem cells (UDSCs), included within the population of urine-derived cells, present a mesenchymal-like phenotype and have shown promising properties for similar purposes. Importantly, UDSCs have been differentiated into neuronal-like cells, auspicious for disease modeling, while overcoming some of the shortcomings presented by other stem cells for these purposes. Thus, this review assesses the current state and future perspectives regarding the potential of UDSCs in the ambit of neurological diseases, both for disease modeling and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cavaleiro
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo J. M. Afonso
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paulo J. Oliveira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge Valero
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sandra I. Mota
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Ferreiro
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Mahar UR, Ahsan B, Ahmad U, Bokhari SW. Developing an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Transplant Service in a Resource-Limited Country: Challenges and Outcomes. Cureus 2023; 15:e44818. [PMID: 37809142 PMCID: PMC10559081 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Allogeneic stem cell transplant has curative potential for many hematological disorders. Building an allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplant (HPCT) unit requires huge investment, infrastructure, equipment, medical supplies, and training of health care professionals. The key objective of this study is to share our experience of developing an allogeneic HPCT service at our tertiary care cancer hospital in a low-middle-income country. In addition, this study presents the outcomes of the first 30 allogeneic HPCTs done at our center. Methods This retrospective observational study included adult patients 18 years old or older with hematological malignancies who underwent allogeneic HPCT between July 2019 and April 2023 at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. Result Of the 30 patients, 24 underwent matched sibling donor (MSD) transplants in which a myeloablative-conditioning regimen (MAC) was used in 19, and a reduced conditioning regimen (RIC) was used in one. Of the six haploidentical-related donor transplants, four received MAC, and two received RIC. The median recipient age at HPCT was 23 and 21 years for MSD and Haplo-related donor transplants, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 12 months (Range: 10 days - 33 months). The overall survival rate at one year was 71.3% among all allogeneic stem cell transplant patients, whereas the disease-free survival rate at one year was 63.7%. In the acute lymphoblastic leukemia group, the disease-free survival rate at one year post allograft was 51.5%, while in the acute myeloid leukemia group, it was 78.7%. Conclusion This study demonstrates the successful development of an allogeneic bone marrow transplant unit at our hospital despite significant financial constraints. This has allowed us to provide a potentially curative and life-saving treatment to a substantial number of cancer patients. The bone marrow transplant outcomes of this study are comparable to those reported by international bone marrow transplant registries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uzma R Mahar
- Medical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, PAK
| | - Bushra Ahsan
- Medical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, PAK
| | - Usman Ahmad
- Medical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, PAK
| | - Syed W Bokhari
- Medical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, PAK
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Kevin-Tey WF, Wen WX, Bee PC, Eng HS, Ho KW, Tan SM, Anuar NA, Pung YF, Zain SM. KIR genotype and haplotype frequencies in the multi-ethnic population of Malaysia. Hum Immunol 2023; 84:172-185. [PMID: 36517321 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) genotype and haplotype frequencies have been reported to vary distinctly between populations, which in turn contributes to variation in the alloreactivity of natural killer (NK) cells. Utilizing the diverse KIR genes to identify suitable transplant donors would prove challenging in multi-ethnic countries, even more in resource-limited countries where KIR genotyping has not been established. In this study, we determined the KIR genotypes from 124 unrelated Malaysians consisting of the Malays, Chinese, Indians, and aboriginal people through polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) genotyping and employing an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to assign haplotypes based on pre-established reference haplotypes. A total of 27 distinct KIR haplotypes were discerned with higher frequencies of haplotype A (55.2%) than haplotype B (44.8%). The most frequent haplotypes were cA01:tA01 (55.2%), cB01:tB01 (18.1%), and cB02:tA01 (13.3%), while the least frequent haplotypes were cB03:tB01 (1.2%), cB04:tB03 (0.4%), and cB03:tA01 (0.4%). Several haplotypes were identified to be unique to a specific ethnic group. The genotype with the highest frequency was genotype AB (71.8%), followed by AA (19.4%), and BB (8.9%). The Indians exhibited the lowest genotype AA but the highest genotype BB, whereas genotype BB was absent in the aboriginal people. Despite the limitations, the genotype and haplotypes in the Malaysian population were successfully highlighted. The identification of ethnic-specific KIR genotypes and haplotypes provides the first step to utilizing KIR in identifying suitable transplant donors to further improve the transplant outcome in the Malaysian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Fei Kevin-Tey
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wei Xiong Wen
- Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ping Chong Bee
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hooi Sian Eng
- Division of Nephrology, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kim Wah Ho
- Department of Haematology, Hospital Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sen Mui Tan
- Department of Haematology, Hospital Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Adila Anuar
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yuh Fen Pung
- Division of Biomedical Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Malaysia
| | - Shamsul Mohd Zain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Rafiee M, Abbasi M, Rafieemehr H, Mirzaeian A, Barzegar M, Amiri V, Shahsavan S, Mohammadi MH. A concise review on factors influencing the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation main outcomes. Health Sci Rep 2021; 4:e282. [PMID: 33977164 PMCID: PMC8103082 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS As a curative procedure, hematopoietic stemcell transplantation (HSCT) is an approved treatment for many malignant orbenign hematologic and non-hematologic diseases. There are different outcomes of HSCT, as well as several parameters influencing these outcomes. METHODS We had searched scientific sources like Web ofScience and PubMed with a combination of keywords such as HSCT, engraftment,survival, outcomes, etc. Totally, 80 articles were included. RESULTS Here we have reviewed the effective factors onmain outcomes of HSCT including engraftment, survival, graft versus hostdisease, and Mobilization. Also, the prediction of hematological reconstitutionand some novel suggestions leading to better outcomes are reviewed. CONCLUSION The study will be applicable for improvedmanagement of autologous and allogeneic HSCT process to increase the procedureefficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rafiee
- Department of Hematology and Blood BankingSchool of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Medical Laboratory SciencesSchool of Paramedicine, Hamadan University of Medical SciencesHamadanIran
| | - Mohammad Abbasi
- Department of Internal MedicineHamadan University of Medical SciencesHamadanIran
| | - Hassan Rafieemehr
- Department of Medical Laboratory SciencesSchool of Paramedicine, Hamadan University of Medical SciencesHamadanIran
| | - Amin Mirzaeian
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells Transplantation Research Center, Laboratory and Blood Banking Department, School of Allied Medical SciencesShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mohieddin Barzegar
- Department of Hematology and Blood BankingSchool of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Vahid Amiri
- Department of Hematology and Blood BankingSchool of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | | | - Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood BankingSchool of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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7
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Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation for Ischemic Diseases: Mechanisms and Challenges. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2021; 18:587-611. [PMID: 33884577 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-021-00334-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic diseases are conditions associated with the restriction or blockage of blood supply to specific tissues. These conditions can cause moderate to severe complications in patients, and can lead to permanent disabilities. Since they are blood vessel-related diseases, ischemic diseases are usually treated with endothelial cells or endothelial progenitor cells that can regenerate new blood vessels. However, in recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown potent bioeffects on angiogenesis, thus playing a role in blood regeneration. Indeed, MSCs can trigger angiogenesis at ischemic sites by several mechanisms related to their trans-differentiation potential. These mechanisms include inhibition of apoptosis, stimulation of angiogenesis via angiogenic growth factors, and regulation of immune responses, as well as regulation of scarring to suppress blood vessel regeneration when needed. However, preclinical and clinical trials of MSC transplantation in ischemic diseases have shown some limitations in terms of treatment efficacy. Such studies have emphasized the current challenges of MSC-based therapies. Treatment efficacy could be enhanced if the limitations were better understood and potentially resolved. This review will summarize some of the strategies by which MSCs have been utilized for ischemic disease treatment, and will highlight some challenges of those applications as well as suggesting some strategies to improve treatment efficacy.
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New challenges, new opportunities: Next generation sequencing and its place in the advancement of HLA typing. Hum Immunol 2021; 82:478-487. [PMID: 33551127 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system has a critical role in immunorecognition, transplantation, and disease association. Early typing techniques provided the foundation for genotyping methods that revealed HLA as one of the most complex, polymorphic regions of the human genome. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), the latest molecular technology introduced in clinical tissue typing laboratories, has demonstrated advantages over other established methods. NGS offers high-resolution sequencing of entire genes in time frames and price points considered unthinkable just a few years ago, contributing a wealth of data informing histocompatibility assessment and standards of clinical care. Although the NGS platforms share a high-throughput massively parallel processing model, differing chemistries provide specific strengths and weaknesses. Research-oriented Third Generation Sequencing and related advances in bioengineering continue to broaden the future of NGS in clinical settings. These diverse applications have demanded equally innovative strategies for data management and computational bioinformatics to support and analyze the unprecedented volume and complexity of data generated by NGS. We discuss some of the challenges and opportunities associated with NGS technologies, providing a comprehensive picture of the historical developments that paved the way for the NGS revolution, its current state and future possibilities for HLA typing.
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Stockton JD, Nieto T, Wroe E, Poles A, Inston N, Briggs D, Beggs AD. Rapid, highly accurate and cost-effective open-source simultaneous complete HLA typing and phasing of class I and II alleles using nanopore sequencing. HLA 2020; 96:163-178. [PMID: 32419382 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Accurate rapid genotyping of the genes within the HLA region presents many difficulties because of the complexity of this region. Here we present the results of our proof of concept nanopore-based long read polymerase chain reaction (PCR) solution for HLA genotyping. For 15 HLA anthropology-based samples and 13 NHS Blood and Transplant derived samples 40 ng of genomic DNA underwent long-range PCR for class I and II HLA alleles. Pooled PCR products were sequenced on the Oxford Nanopore MinIoON R9.4.1 flow cell. Sequenced reads had HLA genotype assigned with HLA-LA. Called genotypes were compared with reference derived from a combination of short-read next-generation sequencing, Sanger sequence and/or single-site polymorphism (SSP) typing. For concordance, accuracy was 100%, 98.4%, 97.5% and 95.1% for the first, second, third and fourth fields, respectively, to four field accuracy where it was available, otherwise three field in 28 samples for class I calls and 17 samples for class II calls. Phasing of maternal and paternal alleles, as well as phasing based identification of runs of homozygosity, was shown successfully. Time for assay run was 8 hours and the reconstruction of HLA typing data was 15 minutes. Assay cost was £55 ($80USD)/sample. We have developed a rapid and cost-effective long-range PCR and nanopore sequencing-based assay that can genotype the genes within HLA region to up to four field accuracy, identify runs of homozygosity in HLA, reconstruct maternal and paternal haplotypes and can be scaled from multi-sample runs to a single sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne D Stockton
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Thomas Nieto
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew D Beggs
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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10
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Haworth R, Sharpe M. Accept or Reject: The Role of Immune Tolerance in the Development of Stem Cell Therapies and Possible Future Approaches. Toxicol Pathol 2020; 49:1308-1316. [PMID: 32319357 DOI: 10.1177/0192623320918241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In 2011, Goldring and colleagues published a review article describing the potential safety issues of novel stem cell-derived treatments. Immunogenicity and immunotoxicity of the administered cell product were considered risks in the light of clinical experience of transplantation. The relative immunogenicity of mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was being addressed through in vitro and in vivo models. But the question arose as to whether the implanted cells needed to be identical to the recipient in every respect, including epigenetically, to evade immune recognition? If so, this set a high bar which may preclude use of many cells derived from iPSCs which have vestiges of a fetal phenotype and epigenetic memory of their cell of origin. However, for autologous iPSCs, the immunogenicity reduces once the surface antigen expression profile becomes close to that of the parent somatic cells. Therefore, a cell product containing incompletely differentiated cells could be more immunogenic. The properties of the administered cells, the immune privilege of the administration site, and the host immune status influence graft success or failure. In addition, the various approaches available to characterize potential immunogenicity of a cell therapy will be discussed.
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11
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Gonzalez-Galarza FF, McCabe A, Melo Dos Santos EJ, Takeshita L, Ghattaoraya G, Jones AR, Middleton D. Allele Frequency Net Database. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1802:49-62. [PMID: 29858801 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8546-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The allele frequency net database (AFND, http://www.allelefrequencies.net ) is an online web-based repository that contains information on the frequencies of immune-related genes and their corresponding alleles in worldwide human populations. At present, the system contains data from 1505 populations in more than ten million individuals on the frequency of genes from different polymorphic regions including data for the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) system. This resource has been widely used in a variety of contexts such as histocompatibility, immunology, epidemiology, pharmacogenetics, and population genetics, among many others. In this chapter, we present some of the more commonly used searching mechanisms and some of the most recent developments included in AFND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faviel F Gonzalez-Galarza
- Department of Molecular Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Biomedical Research, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico.
| | - Antony McCabe
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eduardo J Melo Dos Santos
- Human and Medical Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Louise Takeshita
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Andrew R Jones
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Derek Middleton
- Transplant Immunology Laboratory, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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12
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Halagan M, Oliveira DC, Maiers M, Fabreti-Oliveira RA, Moraes MEH, Visentainer JEL, Pereira NF, Romero M, Cardoso JF, Porto LC. The distribution of HLA haplotypes in the ethnic groups that make up the Brazilian Bone Marrow Volunteer Donor Registry (REDOME). Immunogenetics 2018; 70:511-522. [DOI: 10.1007/s00251-018-1059-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Alizadeh M, Walencik A, Frassati C, Moskovtchenko P, Lafarge X, Verite F, Semana G. Evidence for a higher resolution of HLA genotyping by a new NGS-based approach. Transfus Clin Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tracli.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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14
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Yucel D, Kocabas F. Developments in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion and Gene Editing Technologies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1079:103-125. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2017_114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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15
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Staley EM, Schwartz J, Pham HP. An update on ABO incompatible hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation. Transfus Apher Sci 2016; 54:337-44. [PMID: 27211814 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplantation has long been established as the optimal treatment for many hematologic malignancies. In the setting of allogenic HLA matched HPC transplantation, greater than 50% of unrelated donors and 30% of related donors demonstrate some degree of ABO incompatibility (ABOi), which is classified in one of three ways: major, minor, or bidirectional. Major ABOi refers to the presence of recipient isoagglutinins against the donor's A and/or B antigen. Minor ABOi occurs when the HPC product contains the isoagglutinins targeting the recipient's A and/or B antigen. Bidirectional refers to the presence of both major and minor ABOi. Major adverse events associated with ABOi HPC transplantation includes acute and delayed hemolysis, pure red cell aplasia, and delayed engraftment. ABOi HPC transplantation poses a unique challenge to the clinical transplantation unit, the HPC processing lab, and the transfusion medicine service. Therefore, it is essential that these services actively communicate with one another to ensure patient safety. This review will attempt to globally address the challenges related to ABOi HPC transplantation, with an increased focus on aspects related to the laboratory and transfusion medicine services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Staley
- Department of Pathology, Division of Laboratory Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Joseph Schwartz
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Huy P Pham
- Department of Pathology, Division of Laboratory Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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16
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MacDonald KG, Hoeppli RE, Huang Q, Gillies J, Luciani DS, Orban PC, Broady R, Levings MK. Alloantigen-specific regulatory T cells generated with a chimeric antigen receptor. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:1413-24. [PMID: 26999600 DOI: 10.1172/jci82771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with regulatory T cells (Tregs) is a promising treatment for allograft rejection and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Emerging data indicate that, compared with polyclonal Tregs, disease-relevant antigen-specific Tregs may have numerous advantages, such as a need for fewer cells and reduced risk of nonspecific immune suppression. Current methods to generate alloantigen-specific Tregs rely on expansion with allogeneic antigen-presenting cells, which requires access to donor and recipient cells and multiple MHC mismatches. The successful use of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) for the generation of antigen-specific effector T cells suggests that a similar approach could be used to generate alloantigen-specific Tregs. Here, we have described the creation of an HLA-A2-specific CAR (A2-CAR) and its application in the generation of alloantigen-specific human Tregs. In vitro, A2-CAR-expressing Tregs maintained their expected phenotype and suppressive function before, during, and after A2-CAR-mediated stimulation. In mouse models, human A2-CAR-expressing Tregs were superior to Tregs expressing an irrelevant CAR at preventing xenogeneic GVHD caused by HLA-A2+ T cells. Together, our results demonstrate that use of CAR technology to generate potent, functional, and stable alloantigen-specific human Tregs markedly enhances their therapeutic potential in transplantation and sets the stage for using this approach for making antigen-specific Tregs for therapy of multiple diseases.
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17
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Abstract
Luminex-based technology has been applied to discriminate between the different Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) alleles. The typing method consists in a reverse-SSO assay: Target DNA is PCR-amplified using biotinylated group-specific primers. A single PCR reaction is used for each HLA locus. The biotinylated PCR product is chemically denatured using a pH change and allowed to rehybridize to complementary DNA probes conjugated to microspheres. These beads are characterized by two internal fluorescent dyes that create a unique combination of color, make them identifiable. Washes are performed to eliminate any additional PCR product that does not exactly match the sequence detected by the probe. The biotinylated PCR product bound to the microsphere is labelled with streptavidin conjugated with R-phycoerythrin (SAPE). A flow analyzer identifies the fluorescent intensity SAPE on each microsphere. Software is used to assign positive or negative reactions based on the strength of the fluorescent signal. The assignment of the HLA typing is based on positive and negative probe reactions compared with published HLA gene sequences. Recently kits characterized by an extensive number of probes/beads designed to potentially reduce the number of ambiguities or to directly lead to an allele level typing, have been made available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Testi
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Transplant Biology - IME Foundation, Polyclinic of the University of Roma Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy,
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18
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Mosaad YM. Clinical Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen in Health and Disease. Scand J Immunol 2015; 82:283-306. [PMID: 26099424 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Most of the genes in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region express high polymorphism that is fundamental for their function. The most important function of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecule is in the induction, regulation of immune responses and the selection of the T cell repertoire. A clinician's attention is normally drawn to a system only when it malfunctions. The HLA system is no exception in this regard, but in contrast to other systems, it also arouses interest when it functions well - too well, in fact. Population studies carried out over the last several decades have identified a long list of human diseases that are significantly more common among individuals that carry particular HLA alleles including inflammatory, autoimmune and malignant disorders. HLA-disease association is the name of this phenomenon, and the mechanism underlying is still a subject of hot debate. Social behaviours are affected by HLA genes and preference for HLA disparate mates may provide 'good genes' for an individual's offspring. Also, certain HLA genes may be associated with shorter life and others with longer lifespan, but the effects depend both on the genetic background and on the environmental conditions. The following is a general overview of the important functional aspects of HLA in health and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y M Mosaad
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Clinical Pathology Department & Mansoura Research Center for Cord Stem Cell (MARC_CSC), Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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19
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Fuji S, Kanda J, Kato S, Ikegame K, Morishima S, Miyamoto T, Hidaka M, Kubo K, Miyamura K, Tsudo M, Kobayashi H, Maesako Y, Eto T, Adachi S, Ichinohe T, Atsuta Y, Kanda Y. A single high-resolution HLA mismatch has a similar adverse impact on the outcome of related hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a single low-resolution HLA mismatch. Am J Hematol 2015; 90:618-23. [PMID: 25850370 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.24028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The relative importance of the resolution level of HLA typing has not been fully defined for related donor transplantation. To address this question, we retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent a first related hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from 2000 to 2011 from an HLA high-resolution matched (MRD, n = 2,244), high-resolution 1 locus-mismatched (HR-MMRD, n = 116), or low-resolution 1 locus-mismatched related donor (LR-MMRD, n = 396) in the graft-versus-host direction at three loci (HLA A, B, and DRB1) using the database of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. The median age was 40 years (0-74). The median follow-up duration of surviving patients was 950 days. Although the cumulative incidences of grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in the HR-MMRD and LR-MMRD groups were significantly higher than those in the MRD group (HR-MMRD 19.8%, LR-MMRD 20.4%, and MRD 9.5%), there was no statistically significant difference between the HR-MMRD and LR-MMRD groups (P = 0.65). Although both HR-MMRD and LR-MMRD were significantly associated with an increased risk of non-relapse mortality and a worse overall survival, there was no statistically significant difference between the HR-MMRD and LR-MMRD groups. In conclusion, LR-MM and HR-MM have a similar adverse impact on the outcome in related HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeo Fuji
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Division, National Cancer Center Hospital; Tokyo Japan
| | - Junya Kanda
- Division of Hematology; Saitama Medical Center; Saitama Japan
| | - Shunichi Kato
- Department of Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine; Tokai University School of Medicine; Kanagawa Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ikegame
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine; Hyogo Medical College; Hyogo Japan
| | - Satoko Morishima
- Department of Hematology; Fujita Health University School of Medicine; Nagoya Japan
| | - Toshihiro Miyamoto
- Medicine and Biosystemic Science; Kyushu University Hospital; Fukuoka Japan
| | - Michihiro Hidaka
- Department of Hematology; National Hospital Organization Kumamoto Medical Center; Kumamoto Japan
| | - Kohmei Kubo
- Department of Hematology; Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital; Aomori Japan
| | - Koichi Miyamura
- Department of Hematology; Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital; Nagoya Japan
| | - Mitsuru Tsudo
- Department of Hematology; Osaka Red Cross Hospital; Osaka Japan
| | - Hikaru Kobayashi
- Department of Hematology; Nagano Red Cross Hospital; Nagano Japan
| | | | - Tetsuya Eto
- Department of Hematology; Hamanomachi Hospital; Fukuoka Japan
| | - Souichi Adachi
- Human Health Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine; Kyoto Japan
| | - Tatsuo Ichinohe
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Yoshiko Atsuta
- Department of Healthcare Administration; Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine; Nagoya Japan
- Japanese Data Center for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation; Nagoya Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Kanda
- Division of Hematology; Saitama Medical Center; Saitama Japan
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Fuji S, Kanda J, Kato S, Ikegame K, Morishima S, Miyamoto T, Hidaka M, Kubo K, Miyamura K, Ohashi K, Kobayashi H, Maesako Y, Adachi S, Ichinohe T, Atsuta Y, Kanda Y. Impact of HLA allele mismatch on the clinical outcome in serologically matched related hematopoietic SCT. Bone Marrow Transplant 2014; 49:1187-92. [PMID: 25000457 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2014.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In unrelated hematopoietic SCT (HSCT), HLA allele mismatch has been shown to have a significant role. To clarify the importance of HLA allele mismatch in the GVH direction in related HSCT, we retrospectively evaluated 2377 patients who received stem cells from an HLA serologically matched related donor in the GVH direction using the database of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. The cumulative incidences of grade II-IV and grade III-IV acute GVHD in patients with an HLA allele-mismatched donor (n=133, 5.6%) were significantly higher than those in patients with an HLA allele-matched donor. Multivariate analyses showed that the presence of HLA allele mismatch was associated with increased risks of grade II-IV and grade III-IV acute GVHD. In particular, HLA-B mismatch and multiple allele mismatches were associated with an increased risk of acute GVHD. The presence of HLA allele mismatch was associated with an inferior OS owing to an increased risk of non-relapse mortality (NRM). In conclusion, the presence of HLA allele mismatch in the GVH direction in related HSCT was associated with increased risks of GVHD and NRM, which led to an inferior OS. HLA allele typing is recommended in related HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fuji
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - J Kanda
- Division of Hematology, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - S Kato
- Department of Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - K Ikegame
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo Medical College, Hyogo, Japan
| | - S Morishima
- Department of Hematology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - T Miyamoto
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - M Hidaka
- Department of Hematology, National Hospital Organization Kumamoto Medical Center, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - K Kubo
- Department of Hematology, Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital, Aomori, Japan
| | - K Miyamura
- Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - K Ohashi
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - H Kobayashi
- Department of Hematology, Nagano Red Cross Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - Y Maesako
- Department of Hematology, Tenri Hospital, Nara, Japan
| | - S Adachi
- Human Health Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - T Ichinohe
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Y Atsuta
- Department of HSCT Data Management and Biostatistics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Y Kanda
- Division of Hematology, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
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21
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Bai Y, Ni M, Cooper B, Wei Y, Fury W. Inference of high resolution HLA types using genome-wide RNA or DNA sequencing reads. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:325. [PMID: 24884790 PMCID: PMC4035057 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate HLA typing at amino acid level (four-digit resolution) is critical in hematopoietic and organ transplantations, pathogenesis studies of autoimmune and infectious diseases, as well as the development of immunoncology therapies. With the rapid adoption of genome-wide sequencing in biomedical research, HLA typing based on transcriptome and whole exome/genome sequencing data becomes increasingly attractive due to its high throughput and convenience. However, unlike targeted amplicon sequencing, genome-wide sequencing often employs a reduced read length and coverage that impose great challenges in resolving the highly homologous HLA alleles. Though several algorithms exist and have been applied to four-digit typing, some deliver low to moderate accuracies, some output ambiguous predictions. Moreover, few methods suit diverse read lengths and depths, and both RNA and DNA sequencing inputs. New algorithms are therefore needed to leverage the accuracy and flexibility of HLA typing at high resolution using genome-wide sequencing data. RESULTS We have developed a new algorithm named PHLAT to discover the most probable pair of HLA alleles at four-digit resolution or higher, via a unique integration of a candidate allele selection and a likelihood scoring. Over a comprehensive set of benchmarking data (a total of 768 HLA alleles) from both RNA and DNA sequencing and with a broad range of read lengths and coverage, PHLAT consistently achieves a high accuracy at four-digit (92%-95%) and two-digit resolutions (96%-99%), outcompeting most of the existing methods. It also supports targeted amplicon sequencing data from Illumina Miseq. CONCLUSIONS PHLAT significantly leverages the accuracy and flexibility of high resolution HLA typing based on genome-wide sequencing data. It may benefit both basic and applied research in immunology and related fields as well as numerous clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bai
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Tarrytown, New York USA
| | - Min Ni
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Tarrytown, New York USA
| | - Blerta Cooper
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Tarrytown, New York USA
| | - Yi Wei
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Tarrytown, New York USA
| | - Wen Fury
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Tarrytown, New York USA
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