OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between the platelet GP specific antibodies/HLA antibodies and platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR).

METHODSSixty-five patients with PTR were selected in this study and were genotyped for HLA-A and HLA-B as well as HPA systems by standard PCR-SSP assays. The platelet GP specific antibodies and HLA antibodies in serum and platelet elution were tested with a solid phase ELISA.

RESULTSThe HLA-A/B antigens and the frequencies of HPA-1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 15 antigens in PTR patients had no difference from those in healthy donors. The freguencies of HPA-3a and 3b were 0.65 and 0.35, respectively. There was statistical difference between the 65 PTR patients and the healthy donors in HPA-3 freguencies (P < 0.05). Twenty-four patients (36.9 %) only expressed HLA antibodies, and 14 (21.5%) expressed HLA and platelet GP specific antibodies. The highest expression of anti-HLA-A/B specific antibodies was -A*9(46.2 %)/-B*40(33.6%), respectively. In serum, GPIIb/IIIa was expressed (26.2%), followed by GPIa/IIa (21.5 %). In platelet elution, GPIIb/IIIa was expressed of 41.5% and GPIb/IX 41.5%. Pedigree study was carried out for 2 patients. The results showed that the platelet GP specific antibody/HLA antibody developed in PTR patients was highly related to the mismatch with the platelet antigen/HLA antigen in their parents.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of the HLA and platelet GP specific antibodies are the most important reason in PTR, it's meaningful to explore the correlation between PTR and HLA and HLA-A/B antigen in guiding platelet transfusion.