HLA typing of leukemic cells and lymphoblastoid cell lines: effects of non-HLA antibodies in common typing sera.

Several laboratories have recently observed that common HLA typing sera contain antibodies to various nonHLA antigens, including leukemia-associated antigens and normal platelet, granulocyte, or B-lymphocyte-specific alloantigens. In order to study the possible effects of these antibodies on HLA typing data in leukemia, several of these sera were adsorbed with HLA typed platelets, purified B-lymphocytes, cultured lymphoblasts, or mononuclear cells from patients with active leukemia of various types, and retested for residual activity against previously reacting cells. The results indicate that many of the reactions of leukemia cells to HLA typing sera represent reactions to nonHLA antibodies, many of which are directed against antigens common to cultured lymphoblasts, leukemia cells of several types, and normal B-cells. In the absence of family studies or prior serum adsorption, caution should be used in interpretation of all data related to HLA antigens in leukemia.