Which additional allele is evaluated for adult donors compared to umbilical cord blood?

When evaluating adult donors for transplantation purposes, the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system plays a crucial role in ensuring compatibility between the donor and recipient. Among the various HLA alleles tested, HLA-C is significant because it is a class I molecule that interacts with the immune system, specifically with natural killer (NK) cells.

In adults, HLA typing is more extensive and includes HLA-C, providing additional assurance regarding the compatibility of donor tissues with those of the recipient. This is important because mismatches in these alleles can impact transplant outcomes, including the risk of graft-versus-host disease and rejection.

Umbilical cord blood typically has a more limited HLA typing profile focused on the most clinically relevant alleles, which often does not include HLA-C. Therefore, evaluating HLA-C in adult donors provides vital additional information on compatibility, which is critical for successful transplantation practices.