[HLA typing in the Japanese Bone Marrow Program].

The Japan Marrow Donor Program (JMDP) was established in 1992, and managed by the Japan Marrow Donor Foundation and the bone marrow data centers which are affiliated with the Japanese Red Cross. Since 1992, about 82,000 donors and 4,400 patients have been registered. HLA typing of registered donors is performed 2 steps. Serological HLA-A, -B locus typing and low-resolution HLA-DRB1 locus DNA typing are performed at the donor data centers. For the final matching test, serological HLA-A, -B locus typing is performed as reconfirmation and high-resolution HLA-DRB1 DNA typing are performed. The class I DNA typing is performed for A2, A26, B39 and B61. These antigens occur with a high frequency and each can be subtyped into more than three alleles in Japanese. A retrospective study on the effect of matching or mismatching HLA class I and class II alleles between the donor and recipient on the survival rate of 363 transplanted is currently being performed using JMDP samples. In the report of this research project supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare matching HLA-A, -B locus alleles of donor and recipient decreased the risk of acute GVHD and improved survival after unrelated marrow transplantation.