The World Health Organization (WHO) has named the two new HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) alleles, newly found at the blood center of east China's Zhejiang Province this year, B* 5614 and B* 5136. The new discovery will provide means of more accurate matching for the marrow transplantation.

It is the third time for China to have discovered new HLA alleles.

Since the first HLA antigen was detected in 1958, there have been over 1, 000 alleles detected worldwide. HLA has much to do with the transplantation of marrow and organs.

As experts introduced, every person has six HLA alleles, which, in case of transplantation of organs and marrow, require an absolute match of the alleles between the donator and the receiver. The discovery of new genes increases the possibility for human beings to find matchable genes. In order to enhance the accuracy of HLA classification and avoid HLA alleles that are not yet detected to be missed, it is an important subject in the international HLA research to seek and evaluate HLA alleles in certain population.

The two new HLA alleles, not only add new members to the human genetic gene pool, but also helps to more accurately matching the donator and receiver on occasion of transplantation. It is also conducive to extending and improving the lives of the patients. In addition, it will help to avoid the immunity reaction among patients who receive blood for several times, and help medical examination and diagnosis of miscarriage with unidentified reason.

By People's Daily Online