HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) contains a set of genes located together on the short arm
of chromosome 6. These genes control immune responses, graft acceptance or rejection and
tumor surveillance. These abilities have close relationship with genetic variation (occur in
"many forms" or alleles) that bind and present antigens to T lymphocytes.
Using advanced technology and molecular biology approaches (PCR technique) detection
of genetic variation in the HLA region (or HLA typing) has been performed based on DNA .. PCR
is an in vitro technique to amplify the DNA sequence enzymatically. "Sequence Specific Primers"
(SSP) are designed for this PCR to obtain amplification of specific alleles or groups of alleles.
The PCR products are visualized through agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium
bromide.
The PCR technique requires small amount of whole blood (0.5 - I ml), gives rapid,
accurate and complete result. This paper discuss identification of HLA class
typing using
PCR-SSP technique and show the examples of the results.