HLA Testing

The HLA Laboratory was established in March 1983 to support the growing need at Rhode Island-area hospitals for HLA-matched platelet transfusion support. Today, in addition to transfusion support, the HLA Laboratory also performs testing in support of renal and bone marrow/stem cell transplant programs in Rhode Island.

The HLA Laboratory is accredited by both ASHI (American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics) and UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing).

What is HLA and why is it important? HLA stands for Human Leukocyte Antigen.

These antigens are special proteins found on the surface of almost all cells in the human body. Leukocytes (also known as white blood cells) have the highest amount of HLA antigens on them and are used in HLA testing.

HLA antigens are important in both blood transfusion and transplantation for two reasons:

1. When the body's immune system identifies "foreign" substances, it can react and produce antibodies against these foreign substances. Antibodies are special proteins that circulate in blood that help the body fight "foreign invaders" such as bacteria, viruses and other materials such as "foreign" HLA antigens.

2. The presence of HLA antibodies in a patient receiving platelet transfusions may cause destruction of the transfused platelets and thus no benefit to the patient. In a transplant patient, HLA antibodies may result in graft or organ rejection.

It is important to "match" the patient's HLA antigens (also known as HLA type) with the donor HLA antigens before transplantation. The body detects differences in HLA between the patient and donor and these differences cause an organ or bone marrow to be rejected by the body's immune system. Siblings have a 25% chance of having the same HLA antigens or "matching" the patient because they inherit their HLA antigens from their parents. This is why siblings are frequently tested first in the search for a donor for an organ or bone marrow/stem cell transplant.

Testing performed at the Rhode Island Blood Center HLA Laboratory

HLA Typing:

HLA Class I (A and B) Typing by CDC
HLA Class I (A, B and Cw) Typing, Low Resolution by DNA PCR(SSP)
HLA Class II (DR and DQ) Typing, Low Resolution by DNA PCR(SSP)
HLA Class II (DRB1) Typing, High Resolution by DNA PCR(SSP)
Arrangements may be made for Class I (A, B and Cw) and Class II (DQB1) Typing by DNA SBT.

HLA Antibody Screening and Identification:

HLA Antibody Screening and Identification by CDC
HLA Antibody Screening and Identification by Luminex
HLA Antibody Screening by ELISA (blood donor testing)

Crossmatches for Solid-Organ Transplant (Renal)

T Cell by CDC and CDC/AHG
B Cell by CDC

HLA testing when family members live out-of-state

The HLA Laboratory frequently arranges with the physician and hospital to send sample collection kits to family members who live in a different state or even out of the country. A physician's request ordering this test is required. The physician's office or the hospital will contact the HLA Laboratory with the individual's name, mailing address, telephone number and date of birth (for identification purposes only). A sample collection kit that includes all tubes to be collected, detailed instructions on sample collection and return shipment as well as a pre-paid FedEx return shipment envelope will then be sent to the individual.

Once the individual has received both the physician's request ordering the testing and the sample collection kit, they can arrange to have their blood sample collected at their physician's office, at a walk-in clinic or at a hospital. Once the blood sample is collected, it can be packed into the original shipping container and returned to the RI Blood Center HLA Laboratory in the pre-paid FedEx return envelope.

How can I have HLA testing done to become a platelet pheresis donor?

Becoming an HLA-typed automate platelet donor.

How can I have HLA testing done to become a donor through the NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program)?

Learn more about becoming an HLA-typed Marrow donor.