H.L. Lee

Frequencies of Neutrophil-Specific Antigens among Chinese in Taiwan

In order to study the distribution of neutrophil-specific antigens in Chinese, we tested 128 normal health-care personnel at Mackay Memorial Hospital, for NAI, NA2 and NB1 antigens and 80 normal health-care personnel for the ND1 antigen by the granulocyte indirect immunofluorescence test (GIFT) [I]. We also tested the same 128 persons for the presence of FcRIII by GIFT Anti-NAl (CLB monoclonal VD7), antiNA2 (polyclonal C 111285), anti-NB1 (polyclonal SM 260476), anti-ND1 (polyclonal PR 130976) and anti-FcRIII (CLB-monoclonal VD 2) were all gifts from Dr. R. Goldschmeding, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion SerFrequencies of Neutrophil-Specific Antigens among Chinese in Taiwan

The use of genotyping to predict the phenotypes of human platelet antigens 1 through 5 and of neutrophil antigens in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The human platelet antigen (HPA) 1 through 5 and the human neutrophil antigen (HNA‐1) systems are relevant to immune‐related thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. The alloantigen distribution profiles in the population will aid in estimating the risk of alloimmunization.

A newly identified nonsecretor allele of the human histo-blood group α(1,2)fucosyltransferase gene (FUT2)

Background and Objectives: The human Secretor α(1,2)fucosyltransferase gene determines the ABH secretor status and influences the Lewis phenotype of an individual. Studies were carried out on the Lewis (a+b–) nonsecretors of different groups indigenous to Taiwan to demonstrate their se genotypes. Methods: The Lewis phenotype of the blood samples was determined by a microplate method. The se genotypes of the individuals with the Lewis (a+b–) phenotype were analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) method designed for the se alleles reported previously. PCR and cloning techniques were used to determine the coding sequence of the novel se gene. Results: A new se allele, se685, with a three–nucleotide deletion of GTGGT to GT in the coding region of nucleotides 685 through 689 was identified in a Le (a+b–) nonsecretor from the Ami tribe indigenous to Taiwan. The deletion predicts the loss of the amino acid Val230 in the corresponding secretor enzymes C–terminal segment. The distribution of the se685 allele in the Ami tribe was further verified by PCR–RFLP analysis. Conclusion: The Se gene exhibits heterogeneity with some Se alleles being common but others displaying a unique distribution in different ethnic populations. The newly identified se685 allele seems to exist only in the Ami tribe indigenous to Taiwan.

Anti-“Mia” immunization is associated with HLA-DRB1*0901

BACKGROUND: Anti‐“Mia” is one of the most important irregular red blood cell antibodies found in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific HLA‐DRB1 alleles are associated with anti‐“Mia” production.

Polymorphism and distribution of the Secretor α(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase gene in various Taiwanese populations

BACKGROUND: The Secretor gene (Se or FUT2), which produces α(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase, exhibits extensive polymorphism. Six Se genes, including the weak Se (Sew or Se385) and three nonsecretor alleles (se571, se685, and se849) have been detected in various populations of Taiwan. The distribution of various Lewis phenotypes among the Taiwanese population groups has been shown to vary considerably.

Association of HLA-DRB1*0405 with resistance to multibacillary leprosy in Taiwanese

Host factors play an important role in determining the immune response and development of leprosy. The human leukocyte antigen system (HLA) has repeatedly been found to be associated with the pathogenesis of leprosy. This study analyzes the polymorphism of the HLA class I and II antigens in multibacillary leprosy patients and a healthy control group to provide predictable prognostic indicators and/or a differential diagnostic for the disease. Sixty-5 multibacillary leprosy patients from Lo-Sheng Leprosarium and 190 healthy Taiwanese were used as cases and controls, respectively. A serologic method was initially used for HLA-A and HLA-B antigen determination, and sequence-based typing was later applied for HLA-DRB1 allele typing. Although no significant associations were found with HLA-A or HLA-B antigens, this study shows a strong HLA-DRB1*0405 association with resistance to multibacillary leprosy, supporting results previously reported in the literatures.

Primary autoimmune neutropenia in children in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune neutropenia in children is caused by granulocyte‐specific autoantibodies. These antibodies react to the patients own neutrophils but disappear when the neutropenia spontaneously remits. This study reviewed our experience with autoimmune neutropenia in children and investigated possible associations with HLA‐DR and HLA‐DQ alleles.

A novel HLA-A2 variant, A*9203, identified by sequence-based typing

HLA‐A*9203, found in Taiwan using sequence‐based typing method, was identical to HLA‐A*0207 in exon 3 but differed in exon 2 by five nucleotide substitutions at positions 240–282 corresponding to three amino acid changes at codons 62, 66 and 70. Since this substitution motif is also seen in A*11 and A*03, it is likely that a gene conversion event from A*11 or A*03 to a A*0207 backbone may have been the process used in generating HLA‐A*9203.

A novel HLA-B allele, B*5612, identified by sequence-based typing method.

HLA‐B*5612, found in Taiwan using sequence‐based typing method, was identical to HLA‐B*5502 in exon 2 but differed in exon 3 by 10 nucleotide substitutions at positions 353–420 leading to five amino acid change at codon 94, 95, 97, 103 and 116. As this sequence motif was not found in the Asian population, it is likely that HLA‐B*5612 is the product of a complex mechanism of implying a dual gene conversion event.

Identification of two novel HLA‐DRB1 alleles, HLA‐DRB1*1214 and HLA‐DRB1*1215, in two Taiwanese individuals

Two novel HLA‐DRB1 alleles, HLA‐DRB1*1214 and HLA‐DRB1*1215, were found in Taiwan using sequence‐based typing method. DRB1*1214 differs from DRB1*120101 by two nucleotide substitutions on exon 2, causing amino acid changes at codon 37 (L→F) and codon 38 (L→V). We suggest that DRB1*1214 is the product of a gene conversion between DRB1*120101 and DRB1*140101 or DRB1*1405 and that HLA‐DRB1*1215 differs from DRB1*120201 by one single nucleotide transition at exon 2, thereby causing amino acid change at codon 37 (L→F).