Overview of HLA typing sequencing

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are the expression products of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC), located in a region of approximately 4.0 M in length on the short arm of chromosome 6, 6p21.3, containing over 200 genes. HLA is classified into three major types based on different gene loci, including Class I, Class II and Class III. The high degree of variability in the sequence of HLA results in an unusually large number of HLA alleles.

Figure 1. Classification and structure of HLA genes.

As a segment of polymorphic regions involved in immune response, HLA polymorphisms are significantly associated with genetic susceptibility to many kinds of diseases. The purpose of HLA genotyping sequencing is primarily the identification of individual HLA class I and class II gene polymorphisms. Therefore, performing HLA typing sequencing is beneficial for the study of immune-related diseases, especially in immuno-oncology.

HLA typing sequencing workflow

Here, CD Genomics provides you with high-throughput and accurate NGS-based HLA typing sequencing services. Each of these steps is executed by our experienced experts under strict quality control and program settings. As shown in the diagram below, our workflow of HLA typing sequencing consists of the following main parts.

01. Sequencing sample requirements

02. Library construction and NGS

• Capture interval covering the entire HLA region with high coverage and depth
• Illumina / MGI NGS platform for different types of HLA gene capture (Class I / Class II)

03. Bioinformatics Analysis

• Sequencing data QC (e.g., removal of junction contamination and low-quality data)
• Sequencing depth statistics, comparing to reference databases IMGT/HLA
• HLA typing annotation
• Shared HLA type screening
• Statistical test-based significance analysis (case-control samples)
• Other data analysis requirements according to your needs

Advantages of our HLA typing sequencing service

• Advanced and efficient data reads from NGS-based platform
• High capture efficiency (>96.5%) and high coverage (>98%)
• 100% high accuracy of HLA typing results
• Highly efficient and high-performance bioinformatics statistical, computational and analytical platform
• One-stop sample-to-report HLA typing sequencing solution

Applications in immuno-oncology research

NGS-based HLA typing sequencing is part of our immuno-oncology solution, which is primarily applied to research in the field of immuno-oncology. Since HLA-I class molecules are mainly responsible for endogenous antigen delivery, while HLA-II class molecules are mainly responsible for exogenous antigens. Therefore, in immuno-oncology research, more studies have focused on HLA-I.

CD Genomics is committed to combining professional project protocol guidance and standardized analysis processes to ensure that your project is performed accurately and quickly. If you are interested in CD Genomics' HLA typing sequencing services in the field of immuno-oncology, please feel free to contact us now.