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Relative immunogenicity of Fy a and K antigens in a Caucasian population, based on HLA class II restriction analysis
Author(s) -
NoizatPirenne France,
Tournamille Christophe,
Bierling Philippe,
RoudotThoraval Françoise,
Le Pennec PierreYves,
Rouger Philippe,
AnsartPirenne Hélène
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2006.00900.x
Subject(s) - immunogenicity , human leukocyte antigen , antigen , major histocompatibility complex , population , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , medicine , environmental health
BACKGROUND: It has long been known that relative immunogenicity is a characteristic of protein red blood cell (RBC) antigens, but the mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this work was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relative immunogenicity. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two RBC antigens were used as a model—the highly immunogenic K antigen (KEL1) and the less immunogenic Fy a antigen (FY1)—and analyzed the distribution of DRB1* molecules in two groups of Caucasian individuals producing anti‐Fy a (n = 29) or anti‐K (n = 30) alloantibodies. These experimental results were compared to the results generated by TEPITOPE, a DRB1* peptide–binding motif prediction algorithm. RESULTS: It was found that within the anti‐Fy a group, the DRB1*04 phenotypic frequency was 100 percent, indicating that the DRB1*04 molecule is the restriction molecule. In the anti‐K group, numerous DRB1* molecules were identified, demonstrating a high degree of histocompatibility promiscuity, corresponding to the predominant molecules in the Caucasian population. These findings were confirmed by TEPITOPE. CONCLUSION: These results strongly suggest that protein RBC intrinsic immunogenicity depends on the distribution of DRB1* restriction molecules.