Abstract

Objective: It is well known that anti-HLA(Human leucocyte antigen) antibodies have great importance for tissue transplantation. These antibodies were first established in the serum of several blood transfused patients. The same antibodies are also present in patients with pregnancy, previous graft rejection, virus infections and autoimmune diseases. Anti-HLA antibodies are frequently seen women with at least two pregnancies. The reason of the production of antibodies with pregnancy is immunogenicity of fetus.

Materials and Methods: In this study, the immunogenicity of HLA antigens was analysed by examining the antibody profiles in women who have been pregnant at least two times. 175 sera were collected from multiparous women to investigate,if exist, anti-HLA antibodies.

Results: Eighty two of 175 sera displayed reactivity with HLA antigens. Sera reacted with specific HLA antigens were as follows: 1 serum with anti-HLA-A2, 2 sera with anti-HLA-A24, 2 sera with anti-HLA-B51 and 1 serum with anti-HLA-B35. Five sera gave at least 70% reactivity with all HLA antigens.

Conclusion: In this manuscript, we aimed to analyze anti HLA antibodies in multiparous, since missmatch HLA antigens could be the source of anti-HLA production during pregnancies. We have found antibodies either specific for a given HLA antigen or non spesific. In both case, they could be used for test identifing HLA.