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#33
THE INTERNATIONAL CELL EXCHANGE-ANALYSIS OF CLASS II POLYMORPHISM.
M. Lau ¹, A.F. Locke ¹, M.S. Park ¹, J.M. Cecka ¹ and E.F. Reed ¹. ¹ UCLA Immunogenetics Center/Pathology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA .

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For over three decades, the International Cell Exchange has provided a process to standardize HLA typing, as well as to reveal new and rare antigens, on a collaborative basis among laboratories worldwide. In April 1987, the B-cell line Exchange, within the framework of the Cell Exchange, was initiated with shipments of 2 lymphoblastoid cell lines for Class II serologic typing; in July 1990, reports began comparison of serologic with molecular-based results of the same cells.
We provide a report of 300 cells (TER-61 through TER-360) typed by 108 labs between April 1990 and April 2005. 84 HLA-DRB1, 6 -DRB3, 5 -DRB4, 4 -DRB5, and 29 -DQB1 alleles were identified, for a total of 128 alleles, which were correlated to serologic equivalents. Retyping of cells (n=70) was performed to assess standardization over time. Reference sequenced cells (n=48) and workshop cells (n=31) comprised 32% of the studies. Rare associations, e.g. DR1-DR51, DR4-DR53null, and DR13-no DR52, were examined.
Summary of cell lines typed in the B-cell line Exchange documents the progress in detection of Class II alleles. This program is distinctive in comparison to other surveys in that it is heavily weighted with workshop cells and reference sequenced cells, providing invaluable opportunities for participants to type cells that are highly unique and informative. By being maintained in culture, these cells can be a limitless source for valuable references for quality control use of new typing reagents and technologies. The exchange results provide vital allele-serologic equivalents for new and rare variants; this information is routinely incorporated in the HLA Dictionary¹ updates that are used in matching searches for unrelated marrow donors.
¹Schreuder GMT et al. (2005) Tissue Antigens 65, 1-55