HLA-DR typing of fetal human spleen and liver lymphoblastoid cells transformed by Epstein-Barr virus.

Because few HLA-DR-positive cells are present in the fetal spleen and liver, full HLA typing cannot be performed. However, B lymphocyte precursors can be transformed with Epstein-Barr virus to produce lymphoblastoid cells which express HLA-A, B, and DR antigens. Successful transformation was achieved, usually with spleen and liver, in nine fetuses aged from 15 to 18 weeks, mostly within 7 to 14 days of initiation of the cultures. Spleen-derived lymphoblasts were more suitable for typing because of their greater homogeneity and higher viability. Tissues from two 13-week fetuses from prostaglandin-induced abortions and from a spontaneously aborted 22-week fetus could not be transformed. This is probably attributable to prolonged ischemia before the tissues were obtained but, in the 13-week fetuses, absence of B lymphocyte precursors was not excluded. HLA-DR typing may be useful in obtaining well matched donor-recipient pairs in fetal pancreatic islet transplantation.