To identify which human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and antigens a person has inherited. Either to;
1) Match donors and recipients of organ and bone marrow transplants and to detect antibodies to HLA antigens that would cause transplants to be unsuccessful
2) Confirm the diagnosis of a disorder which only affects individuals of a certain HLA type
3) Predict the likelihood of an adverse drug reaction associated with a specific HLA type.
Most often, transplant recipients are tested when it is determined that they need an organ or bone marrow transplant, prior to seeking and selecting a suitable donor; potential donors are tested when they are being evaluated for compatibility with a specific recipient or are signing up with a national donor registry.
If someone is suspected of having a clinical disorder associated strongly with a given HLA type, testing may be undertaken as part of the diagnostic workup.
If a clinician plans to start a drug which has serious side effects, associated with a specific HLA type, testing would be done before the medicine is prescribed or rarely as part of investigating an unusual reaction.
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm; sometimes, for HLA typing, a swab from the inside of the cheek (buccal swab) or a saliva sample.
When providing a saliva sample you should not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum for 30 minutes prior to giving a sample.
Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are part of the major histocompatibility complex or MHC. They refer to certain specialised proteins (antigens) present on the surface of all nucleated cells in the body and the genes that code for them. Everyone has an inherited combination of HLA antigens present on the surface of his or her white blood cells (leukocytes) and other cells that contain a nucleus. HLA testing identifies the major HLA genes a person has inherited and their corresponding antigens that are present on the surface of their cells.
HLA antigens and the MHC system play an important role in the management of the immune system. They help the body's immune system distinguish which cells are "self" and which are "foreign" or "non-self." Any cells that are recognised as "non-self" can trigger an immune response, including the production of antibodies. HLA antibody testing is also performed on transplant recipients to determine if there are any antibodies present that would target the donated organ or tissue.
This is important in medicine when transplanting tissue or an organ(s). In bone marrow transplants, the HLA genes that the donor and recipient have need to be the same or match as closely as possible for a transplant to be successful and for the tissue not be attacked or rejected by the recipient's immune system. Also, bone marrow donors and recipients must match closely so that the immune cells (lymphocytes) in the donated bone marrow do not attack the recipient's cells in a process called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; see Common Questions #4).
In solid organ transplants, such as kidney or lung transplants, it is ideal to match the antigens between the donor and recipient; however, the typing incompatibilities are less critical as long as the recipient has not produced antibodies directed against donor's antigens. Various drugs may be administered to help suppress the recipient’s immune system in order to minimise organ rejection.
When the donor organ is compatible with the intended recipient, it is less likely to be rejected in the immediate post-transplant period. HLA testing, along with ABO blood typing, is used to identify and match organ and tissue transplant donors with recipients who have the same or an acceptable number of matching HLA genes and antigens.
Finding a donor who is compatible with an intended recipient may sometimes be difficult. Part of the reason is because each particular HLA gene can have numerous possible forms or variations (alleles). This is referred to as polymorphic. In addition, there are more than 200 genes that make up the large "gene family" of the HLA system. With many different possible combinations and numerous HLA genes to take into account, it can be a challenge to find a suitable donor.
However, HLA genes that are located close together, as seen on chromosome 6, are inherited together as groups known as haplotypes; thus, a child inherits one haplotype from each parent. Because of this, there is a greater chance that family members will have the same group of HLA genes compared with non-related potential donors. Often, a recipient's parents, children, or siblings may serve as the best transplant matches.
Read the article on The Universe of Genetic Testing for more on inheritance and the HLA system.