The Human Platelet and Leucocyte Antigens: Locations, Diagnosis and Solutions

Abstract

Every platelet has natural proteins on its surface. This is well known as human platelet antigen. The human leucocytes antigens are integral to the platelet membrane and next to ABO system which possess chief barrier to transplantation by the presentation of antigenic peptides T cells. Both the human platelet and leucocytes antigens (HPLA) are highly polymorphic glycoprotein encoded on the different arms of the chromosome. The human leucocytes antigen (HLA) expression is especially high on leucocytes because of their easily availability, and lymphocytes are used to identify the types. The most important function of the HLA molecule is in the induction, regulation of immune responses and in the selection of T cell repertoire. Also the HLA are effective stimulators, graft versus host disease (GVHD) and graft rejection. Moreover, subsets of HLA B27 and B57 are strongly associated with slow progression of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This review highlights the human platelet and leucocytes antigens, its importance in antenatal screening, transfusion and in health and diseases.