Microarray-based genotyping for blood groups: comparison of gene array and 5'-nuclease assay techniques with human platelet antigen as a model.

Most blood group alloantigens specific for red cells and platelets (PLTs) are based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding relevant membrane proteins. By use of five human PLT antigen (HPA) systems as a model, the suitability of a fourth-generation microarray technique for SNP typing was investigated. The results of the former were compared with those of a parallel developed third-generation technique (TaqMan assay, Applied Biosystems). Both techniques were validated by use of a unique panel of 71 blinded DNA samples containing at least 15 aa, bb, and ab genotypes for the HPA-1, -2, -3, -5, and-15 systems. Unambiguous and concordant results were obtained with both techniques for all samples. The data presented here validate the use of microarray for large-scale SNP typing for clinically relevant blood group alloantigens.