Serological analysis of the HL--A10 complex.

In a Caucasian blood donor population largely of Polish and German origin, W25 and W26 were shown to be distinct antigens which comprise the entire specificity of HL--A10. These antigens were in linkage disequilibrium with W18 and W16 respectively. Multiparous women with antibody against HL--A10 (W25 -- W26) had husbands typing for either W25 or W26, but never both. Other sera against HL--A11 and W32 had extra antigen reactivity with W26 and W25 respectively. Serological analysis of 21 sera with W25 and W26 reactivity suggested that the broad HL--A10 complex comprises HL--A11--W26--W25--W32. The immunolgenicity and serological reactivity of the antigens in this complex may be explained with a concept of two paired amino acid substitutions at the antigenic determinant in the HL--A peptide chain.