Abstract
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a suitable source for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The study of HLA genes by next generation sequencing is commonly used in transplants. Donor/patient HLA matching is often higher within groups of common ancestry, however “Hispanic” is a broad category that fails to represent Argentina’s complex genetic admixture. Our aim is to describe HLA diversity of banked UCB units collected across the country taking into consideration donor’s reported ancestral origins as well as geographic distribution. Our results showed an evenly distribution of units mainly for 2 groups: of European and of Native American descent, each associated to a defined geographic location pattern (Central vs. North regions). We observed differences in allele frequency distributions for some alleles previously described in Amerindian populations: for Class I (A*68:17, A*02:11:01G, A*02:22:01G, B*39:05:01, B*35:21, B*40:04, B*15:04:01G, B*35:04:01, B*51:13:01) and Class II (DRB1*04:11:01, DRB1*04:07:01G/03, DRB1*08:02:01, DRB1*08:07, DRB1*09:01:02G, DRB1*14:02:01, DRB1*16:02:01G). Our database expands the current knowledge of HLA diversity in Argentinian population. Although further studies are necessary to fully comprehend HLA heterogeneity, this report should prove useful to increase the possibility of finding compatible donors for successful allogeneic transplant and to improve recruitment strategies for UCB donors across the country.
Highlights
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a suitable source for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Our bank has over 5.000 cryopreserved UCB units, 3300 of which are available for transplantation and listed through the Argentinian Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Donor Registry (INCUCAI—Registro Nacional De Donantes De CPH)
Most of the donations (70%) came from the Central region of the country (Buenos Aires, San Juan, Santa Fé) while the remaining 30% were received from the North region (Misiones, Tucumán, Chaco)
Summary
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a suitable source for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Our results showed an evenly distribution of units mainly for 2 groups: of European and of Native American descent, each associated to a defined geographic location pattern (Central vs North regions). The diversity of cultures is the result of several waves of Colombian and post- Colombian migrations into South America that merged with the ancestral p opulation[5] Those migrations, in turn, increased HLA genetic diversity. Our bank has over 5.000 cryopreserved UCB units, 3300 of which are available for transplantation and listed through the Argentinian Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Donor Registry (INCUCAI—Registro Nacional De Donantes De CPH). Are HLA-A, -B and -DR typed and available internationally, through the Search & Match service from World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA)
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