Ebook: The HLA System: A New Approach

This volume documents our growing understanding of the human major histocompatibility complex. The application of this information is ever more important as the limits of transplantation continue to be reduced, including the recent success of bone marrow transplantation between unrelated but closely matched individuals. In addition, the need to transfuse platelets in the face of immunologic barriers continues to challenge transfusion services. Thus, the serologic information summarized in this volume is essential for optimal patient care. At the same time, recombinant DNA technology has led to a revolution in our understanding of many aspects of basic biology. Among the advances has been the initial characterization of the structure of some HLA loci. While this will ultimately improve clinical services, constant reference to serologic data is essential so that the powerful new techniques can be applied in the most effective ways. The timing of the First Red Cross International Histocompatibility Workshop is fortunate as it brings together experts from around the world to address the state of the art. We are all grateful to Dr. John Lee and his colleagues for organizing the workshop, and for bringing together in this volume the material to be presented in Beijing during October 17-23, 1990. Leon W. Hoyer, M.D.

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This book is an edited collection based on a proceeding arraying the most recent research on HLA and the fields of histocompatibility and its medical implications. Since HLA is moving from a major serological technique into oligonucleotide testing, one chapter describes the area of molecular biology. Another chapter is devoted to bone marrow transplantation. While concentrating mainly on the fields of blood transfusion rather than covering every aspect of HLA, one section covers a thorough and intensive set of studies on the antigen frequencies of HLA for Caucasian, Black and Oriental populations. This data can be used for any aspect of study requiring control data for HLA, i.e., disease association studies, paternity testing, and human genetics.