Immunogenetics in Latin America - Research and Practice

HLA system is the most polymorphic genomic region and plays an essential role in immune recognition, pathogen defense, and most importantly, transplant compatibility. Other immune polymorphic systems are relevant as well.

Latin America has a unique genetic diversity, characterized by rare HLA alleles, exclusive haplotypes, and heterogeneous profiles. It is recognized that this diversity results from a demographic history shaped by Indigenous populations, European colonization, the African diaspora, and ongoing admixture from migrations and gene flow.

Considering that indigenous genetic signatures can provide valuable insights for research on human migration patterns and adaptive processes, and that admixed populations further increase the diversity and complexity of HLA variants, directly affecting daily immunogenetic activities, a full understanding of HLA diversity is essential, as it reveals evolutionary patterns and adds complexity to clinical practice in Latin America.

This genetic mosaic offers challenges for transplantation medicine and also affects the management of donor registries. In highly admixed regions of Latin America, the underrepresentation of Indigenous or admixed groups reduces the likelihood of compatible matches for these patients, and identifying fully compatible donors is particularly challenging for patients with Indigenous ancestry or unique genetic signatures. In such situations, it is crucial to utilize advanced search algorithms, conduct thorough anti-HLA antibody testing, and employ refined matching strategies.

HLA diversity in the Americas also influences the development of precision medicine and the healthcare industry. Considering that (1) certain alleles may affect immunotherapy responses and eligibility for T-cell receptor (TCR)-based treatments and (2) most commercial kits and HLA typing panels, designed for European or North American populations, frequently fail to detect alleles prevalent in Latin America, we ought recognize this lack of regional genetic diversity information could lead to diagnostic and compatibility gaps, particularly for Indigenous and genetically distinct groups like Latin American. Besides, the association between HLA variants and autoimmune, infectious, and other diseases remains a crucial field of investigation, with direct implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of personalized therapies. These challenges highlight the need for region-specific research and biotechnological innovation.

In this context, there have been active collaborations in many aspects of immunogenetic research between immunogeneticists from Latin America and from other parts of the world. The outcome of these efforts is most welcome for submissions.

Suitable themes for manuscript submission include, but are not limited to:

1. Allele and haplotype frequencies in Indigenous and admixed populations
2. Signatures of selection and immunological adaptation in the Americas
3. The impact of HLA diversity on donor registries and transplantation of organs and tissues
4. Associations between HLA and autoimmune, infectious, and hematological, or other diseases, including allergy
5. Clinical modeling of immunological risk (mismatches, antibodies, epitopes)
6. Implications for innovative therapies and precision medicine
7. Methodological advances in HLA typing using NGS/WES
8. Regional specifics of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics in Latin America, including development and future perspectives of the field and transplant programmes
9. Practical aspects of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics in Latin America, including organization of Proficiency Testing and its local specifics.