Open AccessExpression of MHC class I and II molecules by cadaver retinal pigment epithelium cells: optimization of post‐mortem HLA typing
Author(s) -
ZAVAZAVA N.,
HALENE M.,
WESTPHAL E.,
NÖLLE B.,
DUNCKER G.,
ECKSTEIN E.,
HARPPRECHT J.,
MÜLLERRUCHHOLTZ W.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1991.tb08141.x
Subject(s) - typing , human leukocyte antigen , major histocompatibility complex , hla dr , histocompatibility , antigen , biology , immunology , mhc class i , mhc class ii , retinal pigment epithelium , tissue typing , microbiology and biotechnology , retinal , genetics , biochemistry
SUMMARY The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of MHC antigens by retinal pigment epithelium cells (RPE) after stimulation with interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and to improve the currently practised technique of cadaver HLA typing. A concentration of 100 U/ml IFN‐γ induced expression of class I molecules up to > 90% 3 days after stimulation, whereas 50 U/ml were required for the expression of HLA‐DR to > 90%. A concentration of 750 U/ml induced 35–45% expression of HLA‐DP and <25% HLA‐DQ after 3 days. Cells were serologically typed using the standard lymphocytotoxicity assay 3 days after stimulation with 250 U/ml IFN‐γ. Typing of class I specificities was complemented by one‐dimensional isoelectric focusing (1D‐IEF). We observed high concordance between the results of the RPE typing and the lymphocytotoxicity test on the same donors. Our results show complete typing of class I and II antigens post‐mortem, which, in particular, enables graft matching and improvement of graft survival in recipients of organs removed many hours after death such as the cornea.