1) Tissue Typing
Tissue typing tests for determination of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Class I (A, B, C) and Class II (DRB1/3/4/5, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1, DPB1) alleles are performed in low resolution with the
PCR-SSO (Polymerase Chain Reaction Sequence-Specific Oligonucleotide) and in high resolution with the
NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) techniques.
2) Anti-HLA Antibody Determination (Panel Reactive Antibody, PRA / Donor-Specific Antibody, DSA)
Antibodies specific to HLA Class I (A, B, C) and Class II (DRB1/3/4/5, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1, DPB1) antigens are determined in a sensitive
Luminex flow cytometry system by
Screening and high-resolution
Single Antigen Bead methods.
3) Crossmatching
Crossmatch tests are performed between patients and donor candidates by both the
complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) as well as
flow cytometry (FC) methods to demonstrate the absence/presence of donor-specific antibodies.
The Koç University Organ Transplantation Center, to which our laboratory is affiliated with, is the only center in Türkiye which performs tissue typing for
all 11 tissue antigen subgroups (HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1/3/4/5, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPA1)
in all kidney transplant recipients and donors. Highly sensitive Single Antigen HLA Antibody tests are performed in our center
on all patients in the pre-transplant preparation period to prevent probable rejection reactions that may cause major damage to the organ. High-risk patients are identified before transplantation with the help of the advanced tests we perform, and transplantations as well as post-transplant follow-ups are carried out with innovative treatment concepts. By means of this systematic approach, more patients are transplanted in our center with higher success rates.
The healthcare services we provide are continuously supported by
clinical and experimental research conducted at the Koç University Transplant Immunology Research Center of Excellence TIREX, covering the following topics:
• Integrative solutions including desensitization treatment and kidney paired donation for sensitized patients
• Laboratory-supported 'patient-specific' treatment approaches to prevent the side effects of immunosuppressive drugs and to improve transplant results
• Optimization of patient follow-up after transplantation
• Prevention and treatment of sensitization
• Rebuilding the functionality of the damaged organ
• Applications for improving resistance against cell death and immune system attack in the organ
• Increasing the chance of successful transplantation in patients with a history of failed transplantation
• Induction of insensitivity to the transplant by eliminating foreign tissue antigens genetically and triggering cells that control the immune system.
You can find detailed information about the routine services performed in our laboratory from the Koç University Hospital Tissue Typing Laboratory
Test Guide, and information about TIREX at
https://kutirex.ku.edu.tr/.