Towards defining the immunogenicity of HLA eplets

Epitope-based HLA-matching has emerged as a promising strategy to improve solid organ transplant (SOT) outcome. Functional units of HLA epitopes are called ‘eplets’.  Mismatched eplets on donor HLA can be defined be comparing the tertiary protein structure of donor- and recipient-HLA, on the basis of 2-field HLA typing results.
An unmet need so far is the definition of the immunogenicity of each individual eplet. Our research group in Basel/Switzerland has investigated the immunogenicity of eplets using the human pregnancy as a model.
The two speakers discuss current concepts to define the immunogenicity of HLA eplets and share their experiences from their own study.