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Minor Histocompatibility Antigens (mHag) (Els Goulmy and Paul Martin, Co-Chairs):
The goal of the Minor Histocompatibility (mHag) Component of the 13th IHWC is to provide investigators with the opportunity to map the genetic loci that encode mHag recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) or defined by genetic assays. These studies will enable the development of a unified nomenclature and help determine whether CTL and genetic assays used in different laboratories define similar mHag.
Genetic mapping of mHag-encoding loci recognized by CTL will be carried out using a panel of cell lines from CEPH, which includes 12 families of 3 generations each. Cell lines of the 24 parents from these families will be transfected with vectors encoding HLA-A1, A2, A3, B7 and B44 alleles and distributed to participating laboratories for testing as targets with previously defined CTL clones. Mapping of mHag loci defined by genetic assays will be carried out by testing the same panel of cell lines with DNA or cDNA probes. A core laboratory will assemble the panel of cell lines and the transfection vectors, develop protocols for reliable transfection, distribute transfected and untransfected cell lines and coordinate the exchange of cell panels and frozen cell pellets between participating laboratories.
Laboratory studies for the mHag Component will begin in September of 1999 following distribution of trans-fected cell lines to laboratories that have CTL clones registered with the central committee. For further information and workscope check the IHWC website at:
http://www.ihwc.org/components/minor.htm. If your laboratory is interested in participating in this com-ponent please contact Els Goulmy (the Netherlands) by fax: 31-71-521-6751 or e-mail: ihbsecr@euronet.nl, or contact Paul Martin (U.S.A.) by fax: 206-667-6969 or by e-mail: pmartin@fhcrc.org.
HLA Bound Peptides (Soren Buus, Chair):
The primary goals of the peptide component are to determine the HLA peptide binding specificities of HLA class I and class II allotypes and develop models for predicting the peptides likely to be bound by different alleles. New approaches and methods for defining the peptide specificity of individual HLA alleles will be utilized, including the generation of recombinant MHC molecules of peptide binding quality and development and validation of an ELISA assay for peptide-MHC binding. Standard protocols will be prepared and a reference laboratory for generating a standard set of cell lines, peptides and other regents will be established to facilitate the distribution of study material to participating laboratories. A catalog of peptide binding specificities will also be prepared. The ultimate goal of this effort will be to enable the prediction of immunogenicity for any given peptide. If you are interested in obtaining more information about these studies or are interested in participating in this component, please contact Soren Buus at s.buus@sb.immi.ku.dk, or fax, 45-35-32-7851.
Donor Registry Worldwide (John Hansen, Chair):
The Donor Registry Worldwide Component will promote and provide support for improved HLA typing of volunteer marrow/hematopoietic cell donors worldwide. Specific plans are to develop specifications for a common set of reagents for intermediate-level DNA-based typing (HLA-A, B, DR), distribute reagents through suppliers selected by a competitive contract mechanism, and establish a standard nomenclature for intermediate-level class I and II genotypes. Please contact John Hansen at jhansen@fhcrc.org, or fax, 206-667-6969.
HLA-E, F, G (Edgardo Carosella, Dan Geraghty, Co-Chairs)
This component of the workshop will aim at specific questions about the biology of the HLA-E, F, G antigens. Below we have outlined two major goals and any additional goals or subgoals interested parties would like to suggest are specifically requested. As it stands, these questions will require the participation of a relatively small number of labs (~10 although more are welcome). Interested participants are specifically requested to contact Dan Geraghty or Edgardo Carosella.
Specific aim 1: To establish definitively the degree and extent of polymorphism of the HLA-E, F, G genes. Previous work has left our knowledge of this subject with some conflicting results concerning the polymorphism of HLA-E and G and only a small effort has focused on HLA-F. We propose define a target population of appropriate size and diversity according to input from interested parties and consultations with experts from the anthropology section. Suitable primers will be identified and DNA from these samples will be isolated and distributed to interested labs for direct PCR sequence analysis. Participation in this aim will therefore necessarily be restricted to labs with access to ABI equipment. Once obtained, chromatograms will be assembled from participating sites and analyzed. In this way we hope to have 1) definitive, direct, raw data about HLA-E, F, G polymorphism and 2) sampled a sufficiently diverse set of individuals to achieve high confidence that nearly all allelic variants will have been identified.
Specific aim 2: To establish the expression pattern of HLA-G in placental tissues and elsewhere. Again, conflicting reports about the specificity of HLA-G antigen expression have left the field without adequate consensus. We propose to assemble all available antibodies specific for HLA-G and to decide upon, from a consensus of interested laboratories, 2 to 3 well defined protocols for histochemical staining. The antibodies and protocols will be distributed to interested laboratories and raw data will be assembled for analysis and scoring by a subset of the participants (to be defined). This study is intended to help clarify the extent of HLA-G expression both within and outside of placental tissues.
Laboratory studies should begin in September of 1999 following distribution of primers and DNAs for aim 1 and antibodies for aim2.
Allele Registry (Ekkehard Albert, Chair):
The goal of the allele registry component is to collect and verify all of the new and rare HLA alleles that have been identified since the 12th IHWC. Dr. Steven Marsh (London) will work closely as a collaborating member of the Allele Registry Committee. The feasibility of establishing a central repository for EBV-transformed cell lines and/or DNA corresponding to each new or rare allele will be explored. Such a registry would provide a failsafe supply of genetic material for the continued study of each newly-defined allele, including extended studies of promoter regions, intron sequences and other exons of interest. Laboratories with experience in sequencing will be solicited to participate in this component and begin the process of verifying all newly-defined and rare HLA alleles. Dr. Albert can be reached via fax at 49-89-532-8141 or e-mail
How to Get Involved
 Are you interested in participating in one or more of the components? Check out the on-line survey for the component(s) of your choice (http://www.ihwc.org/survey.htm). Or, print out the survey form and fax back to the component chair, or back to Seattle (206-667-6969).
Upcoming 13th IHWC Organizational Meetings
Crete, Greece: Several component chairs have indicated their desire to hold component planning meetings prior to and during the EFI annual meeting in Crete in April of 1999. Specific details will be forthcoming via the IHWC Website and from individual component chairs via e-mail, FAX and mailings.
New Orleans, LA: October 1999, ASHI
HLA Events Calendar
The HLA Events Calendar can be accessed on the website. To have your HLA Event posted, drop us a line here in Seattle at HLA Events Update.
Happy New Year from Seattle!! |
