HLA-C middle-high resolution genotyping by PCR-RFLP

Abstract

Serological typing of HLA-C antigens is rather difficult mainly because HLA-Cw blank antigens are present at the gene frequency of 30-50% in most human races. Here we have estabished HLA-C middle-high resolution DNA typing as a simple and sensitive technique, using the PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) method, which allows to classify HLA-C alleles into 18 groups by 13 restriction enzymes. HLA-C alleles defined by PCR-RFLP developed here in 26 HLA-homozyous cell lines were in complete agreement with those previously assigned by serological and or DNA typing except one cell, revealing that this PCR-RFLP method is useful for analysis of HLA-C alleles in HLA-disease association studies and HLA matching for donor selection in unrelated bone marrow transplantation.