Which method, classically used for HLA-D typing, is often used to determine the compatibility between a living organ donor and recipient?

Which method, classically used for HLA-D typing, is often used to determine the compatibility between a living organ donor and recipient?

• A. Flow cytometry
• B. Mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC)
• C. Primed lymphocyte test (PLT)
• D. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)

Answer: (B)

The mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) method is a classical technique utilized for HLA-D typing and is specifically valuable in assessing compatibility between organ donors and recipients. This method involves co-culturing lymphocytes from the donor and recipient. When the lymphocytes are mixed, if they recognize each other as foreign based on their HLA antigens, there will be a proliferation of T-cells from the recipient's immune system responding to the HLA types of the donor's cells. The extent of this proliferation indicates the level of compatibility: a strong response may suggest incompatibility, while minimal or no response suggests a better match. In contrast, other methods listed do not specifically give the same insight into the compatibility between living organ donors and recipients. Flow cytometry is generally used for various cell analyses, including immunophenotyping and measuring cell surface markers, rather than directly assessing HLA compatibility in the context of organ transplantation. The primed lymphocyte test (PLT), while also involved in testing for HLA compatibility, is less commonly used in modern practices compared to the MLC method. Finally, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) is a molecular biology technique used for genetic analysis and can be applied in HLA typing but does not

The mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) method is a classical technique utilized for HLA-D typing and is specifically valuable in assessing compatibility between organ donors and recipients. This method involves co-culturing lymphocytes from the donor and recipient. When the lymphocytes are mixed, if they recognize each other as foreign based on their HLA antigens, there will be a proliferation of T-cells from the recipient's immune system responding to the HLA types of the donor's cells. The extent of this proliferation indicates the level of compatibility: a strong response may suggest incompatibility, while minimal or no response suggests a better match.

In contrast, other methods listed do not specifically give the same insight into the compatibility between living organ donors and recipients. Flow cytometry is generally used for various cell analyses, including immunophenotyping and measuring cell surface markers, rather than directly assessing HLA compatibility in the context of organ transplantation. The primed lymphocyte test (PLT), while also involved in testing for HLA compatibility, is less commonly used in modern practices compared to the MLC method. Finally, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) is a molecular biology technique used for genetic analysis and can be applied in HLA typing but does not