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Temple Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics Laboratory

The Temple HLA Lab plays a vital role in supporting the Temple solid organ transplant programs, which encompass heart, lung, liver, kidney, and pancreas transplants, as well as the bone marrow transplant programs based at the Fox Chase Cancer Center and at Temple University Hospital-Jeanes Campus.

Over the years, our clinical services have expanded, leading to a significant increase in our test volume, with over 25,000 tests performed annually. Setting us apart from other HLA Laboratories, we also offer an expanded range of services including AT1R antibody, Autoantibody, C1Q, and the cutting-edge NGS Chimerism Engraftment testing. We anticipate this growth to continue as we strive to provide cutting-edge services and improve patient outcomes.

Comprehensive Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics Tests

Our HLA testing services are now available to other centers and hospitals across the region. The Temple HLA Lab offers a comprehensive range of tests, including:

  • Pre-transplant histocompatibility risk assessments
  • Low- and high-resolution (NGS) HLA molecular typing
  • T-cell and B-cell crossmatches
  • Virtual crossmatches
  • Identification and quantification of anti-HLA antibodies
  • Post-transplant monitoring for HLA antibody-mediated rejection and engraftment monitoring with chimerism testing
  • Diagnostic HLA testing related to disease associations and medication hypersensitivity associations.

Order Testing Services

To order Temple HLA Lab testing services, please submit an online requisition form.

Submit an Order

 

Our Services

   
Testing Category Test Details
New Evaluation Recipient
  • High-resolution HLA typing using NGS for new recipient candidates.
  • Initial antibody screening and identification carried out with Flow PRA screen, Phenotype Bead, and Single Antigen Bead Assays (SAB).

Pre-Transplant Antibody Screening/Identification
  • For patients without prior sensitization: Alternating use of Flow PRA screen and SAB assays from the second serum sample onwards. Monthly serum testing is recommended.
  • For patients with prior sensitization: the SAB assay will be performed.
Post-Transplant Antibody
  • Screening of all Donor-Specific Antibodies (DSA) using the Single Antigen Bead assay. In case of a detected DSA, Flow PRA, and Phenotype bead assays are performed to confirm the presence of the DSA. Dilution testing generally at 1:16 is performed for DSA-positive specimens, depending on the organ type.
  • C1q-binding antibody testing is available upon request for further DSA characterization.
  • ExPlex Assay for the confirmation of allele-specific antibodies, is performed upon request.
Non-HLA Antibody
  • Testing for angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies (AT1R) is available upon request. 
  • Autoantibody testing is also available as per request.
Deceased Donor Crossmatch
  • Depending on the organ type, either prospective or retrospective crossmatches are performed.
  • Concurrently, auto crossmatching is also conducted during the prospective/retrospective crossmatch process.
Related and Unrelated Living Donor Crossmatch
  • Both preliminary and final crossmatch tests are offered as per the request.
  • High-Resolution HLA Typing is performed for all living donors.
Platelet support
  • Application of intermediate resolution methods for platelet patients.
  • Flow PRA, Phenotype Bead, and Single Antigen Bead assay for comprehensive analysis.
Bone Marrow Support
  • Next generation Sequencing(NGS) will be performed for prospective allotransplant recipients, followed by confirmation typing for HLA-A-B and DRB1 completed at low resolution typing.
  • NGS will be performed for Family Donors and provide second sample for confirmatory typing for HLA-A, B, and DRB1 completed at low resolution typing. · NGS will be performed prospective unrelated donor recipients · Flow PRA, Phenotype Bead, and Single Antigen Bead assay for comprehensive analysis.

Chimerism Engraftment Bone Marrow Transplant Patients
  • Engraftment monitoring (chimerism) testing is used to quantify the percentage of recipients and/or donor cells in the recipient’s post-transplant samples for detection of disease relapse or graft failure.
  • Chimerism testing is performed with the NGS-based assay that analyzes single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with a sensitivity of 0.3%.
HLA Disease Association
  • Abacavir Hypersensitivity HLA B*57:01
  • Allopurinol Hypersensitivity HLA B*58:01
  • Spondyloarthropathies (Ankylosing Spondylitis, Reactive Arthritis, Juvenile Arthritis) HLA-B27
  • Eye Disease HLA Association (Acute Anterior Uveitis HLA-B27, Behçet’s Disease HLA-B51, Birdshot chorioretinopathy HLA-A29)
  • Carbamazepine Hypersensitivity HLA-B*15:02, HLA- A*31:01
  • Celiac Disease (Celiac Genetics) HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1associated alleles and DQ2/DQ8 heterodimers
  • Narcolepsy HLA-DQB1*06:02, DQA1*01:02
  • Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) HLA-B38, HLA-B5, HLA-B51, HLA-B52, HLA B27, HLA-Bw4
  • Psoriasis HLA-B27, HLA-Cw6
  • IL-1 and IL-6 inhibitors Hypersensitivity HLA-DRB1*15:01, HLA-DRB5*01:01, HLA-DQB1*06:02, HLA-DQA1*01:02

Experienced HLA Team

Our laboratory is staffed with dedicated and highly skilled technologists, many of whom hold advanced accreditation through the American College of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ACHI). They handle both routine and STAT-priority testing, ensuring around-the-clock coverage for timely results. We take pride in the expertise and commitment of our team, which enables us to maintain exceptional standards in our testing procedures.

In addition to our clinical responsibilities, our faculty members are actively involved in local hospital administrative and transplant committees, as well as prominent national organizations such as the American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). This involvement allows us to stay at the forefront of advancements in the field and contribute to the development of best practices.

We believe in the importance of education and research. As such, the Immunogenetics laboratory actively participates in teaching healthcare profession students, medical residents, and fellows, while also engaging in meaningful clinical research projects. Our commitment to advancing knowledge and expertise further ensures that our patients receive the highest level of care and innovation.

The Immunogenetics laboratory holds accreditations from both the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and ASHI.

Temple HLA Lab Team

Temple HLA Lab Leadership

Hamid Liacini PhD D’(ABHI), F’(ACHI), HCLD(ABB)
Director, Temple HLA Lab
267-990-2794 
[email protected]

Michiko Taniguchi, MSci, PhD, F(ACHI)
Associate Director, Temple HLA Lab
215-965-6824 
[email protected]

Leena Mathew, MBA, CHT, CHS(ACHI)
Temple HLA Lab Manager
267-606-3724 
[email protected]

Max Manetta
Clinical Lab Director
[email protected]

Yuri Persidsky, MD, PhD
Chair, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
[email protected]

Temple HLA Team

Amanda Anguella, CHT, CHS (ACHI)
Ashton Chevalier CHT (ACHI)
Christopher Gravante CHT (ACHI)
Derek Shinn CHT (ACHI)
Jaleel Uqdah
Lindsey Peters CHT, CHS (ACHI)
Shannon Mancini CHT, CHS (ACHI)
Thomas Collins
Yaritza Claudio CHT (ACHI)

Our Clients

  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  • NJ Sharing Network
  • North Shore University Hospital
  • St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
  • Saint Lukes University Health Network
  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
  • Tufts Medical Center

Contact the Temple HLA Lab

Temple University Hospital Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics Lab (HLA)
Room Number A2-F355
3401 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia PA 19140
Lab Phone Number: 215-707-6958
Email: [email protected]

 

Order Testing Services

To order Temple HLA Lab testing services, please submit an online requisition form.

Submit an Order