The classification of certain characteristics of the tissues of prospective organ donors and recipients (see transplant surgery). This minimizes the risk of rejection of a donor organ by the recipient’s immune system. A person’s tissue type is classified in terms of their histocompatibility antigens, the most important of which are the human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), on the surface of cells. A person’s set of HLAs is inherited and unique (except for identical twins, who have the same set). Nevertheless, close relatives often have closely matching HLA types. A person’s tissue-type is established by laboratory tests on cells from a blood sample. In one method, an antiserum containing antibodies to a particular HLA is added to the test specimen. If the HLA is present, it is detected by an observable colour or other change.
Tissue-typing |
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