Issue link: https://ahint.epubxp.com/i/574474
4 ASHI Quarterly Third Quarter 2015 This issue of the ASHI Quarterly has two scientific articles, an extensive review of current literature on HLA antibody testing of recipients and donors for bone marrow/ hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and an essay for a new feature we have named "How I found my way to HLA " The first scientific article by Liwski et al from the Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, describes the development, optimization, and validation of a rapid flow cytometry crossmatch (FCXM) assay, what they call the Halifaster FCXM protocol They have initially modified the standard tray method FCXM into the "Halifax FCXM" by reducing the antibody incubation and centrifugation times Then, they further reduced the time required for the assay completion by using EasySep™ Direct Human Total Lymphocyte Isolation Kit from STEMCELL Technologies Inc The resulting "Halifaster FCXM" method can be completed in 30 minutes compared to the 85 minutes required for the standard FCXM Yet, it maintains the assay sensitivity and reproducibility; they have achieved this by modifying the volume and concentration of the reactants The "Halifaster FCXM" was then validated in 13 laboratories across Canada "Since then, several labs in the U S , the U K , Brazil, and other countries have either adopted the protocol or are in the process of so doing," they wrote As this assay modification potentially represents a major improvement in FCXM, I would encourage the laboratories using this assay to send comments on your experiences to me at james-mathew@northwestern edu , to be published in future issues of the Quarterly for the benefit of the whole HLA community The second scientific article by Dr Gansuvd Balgansuren, of the Clinical Immunogenetics Laboratory, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, reviews the Significance of complement fixing antibody testing in kidney transplantation She briefly reviewed the three pathways of the complement cascade, and the relevance of complement fixing donor-specific HLA antibodies in antibody- mediated rejection of transplanted organs She went on to review the various assays used for measuring these antibodies until finally considering the C1q assay Dr Balgansuren subsequently critically discussed the limitations and controversies surrounding the prognostic utility of the C1q assay for routine care of patients at pre- and post-transplant The Associate Editor of Current Literature, Dr Siva Kanangat of Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, has extensively reviewed recent literature on HLA antibody testing of recipients and donors for bone marrow/hematopoietic stem cell transplantation In the current issue of the Quarterly, we are introducing a new feature called "How I found my way to HLA," consisting at present of meritorious essays written for ASHI's Rising Star Award competition Kathy Miranda, CAE, our Executive Director, has been instrumental in bringing this series to you To paraphrase her, "We receive (many) essays for the Rising Star Award (each) year and obviously only one person can win, but some of the other essays are really good It seemed a shame to file them away never to be read again " So she obtained permission from the Executive Committee and writers to publish the essays and even suggested the name for the feature, akin to the "My Life in HLA" series written by seasoned ASHI members In this issue we bring the essay written by Erik Chatroop Read it, enjoy it, and be uplifted; some of you may even reminisce We have not yet started the "Technical Reports" series Again, I encourage the technologist members of our Society to submit short reports gleaned from your experiences at the bench, (i e , case studies that led to changes in procedures; modifications in assays that increase reliability, sensitivity, specificity etc ; how you achieve efficiency in what you do; a review article of a topic that interests you, such as how dialysis centers organize sample collection, how coordinators manage/organize multiple cases of deceased donors; tips for surviving being a coordinator, and so on) BE RECOGNIZED! Please send your submissions to Walter Herczyk at WHerczyk@giftoflifemichigan org or to me at james-mathew@northwestern edu As always, I invite the membership of ASHI to contribute scientific articles derived from your expertise, review articles or commentaries on significant topics, technical reports based on your experiences, synopsis of meetings and conferences you attend, or to share your reminiscences for the "My Life in HLA" series Who knows, you may even have something for the "How I found my way to HLA" feature E D I T O R I A L From the Editor-in-Chief James M Mathew, PhD Northwestern University, Chicago