Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter to the Editor
  • Published:

The RSD code: proposal for a nomenclature of allelic configurations in STR-PCR-based chimerism testing after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Leukemia volume 20, pages 1448–1452 (2006)Cite this article

The technique of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers coupled with fluorescence detection is used widely for monitoring hematopoietic chimerism in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT).1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 However, it is becoming clear that the accuracy and reliability of quantitative chimerism analysis in post-transplant samples are greatly affected by factors such as the homozygosity/heterozygosity of alleles, sharing of donor and patient alleles and the positional relationship of PCR amplicons during analysis. Despite this, there are no generally accepted criteria for the eligibility of an STR marker for chimerism analysis in a transplant recipient on the basis of the allelic configuration. This was rapidly identified as a major problem after establishment of the Eurochimerism consortium, a European working party for the development of harmonized protocols for chimerism analysis. The members of this group have therefore developed a common descriptive nomenclature for the allelic configuration, termed the RSD (Recipient-Shared-Donor) code. Herein, we present the principle of the RSD code and discuss its application in the selection of eligible microsatellite markers for the monitoring of chimerism.

We have recognized a number of problems, inherent in the STR-PCR technology, which may affect the eligibility of markers for chimerism testing and the accuracy of quantitative analysis. These are as follows:

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

References

  1. Acquaviva C, Duval M, Mirebeau D, Bertin R, Cave H . Quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation by PCR amplification of microsatellite markers and capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection: the Paris-Robert Debre experience. Leukemia 2003; 17: 241–246.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Chalandon Y, Vischer S, Helg C, Chapuis B, Roosnek E . Quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation by PCR amplification of microsatellite markers and capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection: the Geneva experience. Leukemia 2003; 17: 228–231.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Hancock JP, Goulden NJ, Oakhill A, Steward CG . Quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation using immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent microsatellite PCR. Leukemia 2003; 17: 247–251.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Koehl U, Beck O, Esser R, Seifried E, Klingebiel T, Schwabe D et al. Quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation by PCR amplification of microsatellite markers and capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection: the Frankfurt experience. Leukemia 2003; 17: 232–236.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kreyenberg H, Holle W, Mohrle S, Niethammer D, Bader P . Quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation by PCR amplification of microsatellite markers and capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection: the Tuebingen experience. Leukemia 2003; 17: 237–240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lion T . Summary: reports on quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation by PCR amplification of microsatellite markers and capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection. Leukemia 2003; 17: 252–254.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Schraml E, Daxberger H, Watzinger F, Lion T . Quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation by PCR amplification of microsatellite markers and capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection: the Vienna experience. Leukemia 2003; 17: 224–227.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Schraml E, Lion T . Interference of dye-associated fluorescence signals with quantitative analysis of chimerism by capillary electrophoresis. Leukemia 2003; 17: 221–223.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. F Watzinger, T Lion and C Steward: The Eurochimerism consortium includes 12 leading diagnostic centers from 10 European countries (Appendix A.1) and is supported by a grant from the European Commission within the 5th Framework Program

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Molecular Microbiology and Development of Genetic Diagnostics, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria

    F Watzinger & T Lion

  2. BMT Unit, Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK

    C Steward

Authors
  1. F Watzinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T Lion
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C Steward
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Consortia

on behalf of the Eurochimerism consortium

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F Watzinger.

Appendix A.1 Eurochimerism consortium

Appendix A.1 Eurochimerism consortium

Austria

Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna

Thomas Lion (Coordinator)Franz WatzingerSandra PreunerFlorian Frommlet

Germany

Department of Pediatrics, University Frankfurt

Peter Bader (Deputy coordinator)Hermann Kreyenberg

Italy

Department of Pediatrics, University Milano, Monza

Andrea BiondiFederica Colnaghi

Department of Clin. and Biol. Sciences, University Turin

Giuseppe SaglioAnna Serra

Spain

Department of Hematology, University Salamanca

Marcos González-DíazMiguel Alcoceba

Switzerland

Department of Transplant Immunology, University Geneva

Eddy RoosnekSolange Vischer

France

Hopital Robert Debré, Paris

Hélène CavéCécile Acquaviva

Ireland

St. James's Hospital, Dublin

Mark LawlerKaren MolloyMireille Crampe

Netherlands

Department of Immunology, University Rotterdam

Jacques van DongenMirjam van der Burg

Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Utrecht

Marcel TilanusRoel de WegerJoyce van LoonLianne de Vries

Sweden

Clinical Genetics, University Hospital, Uppsala

Gisela BarbanyMonica Hermanson

United Kingdom

Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol

Colin Steward

H&I Laboratory, National Blood Service, Bristol

John Harvey

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Watzinger, F., Lion, T., Steward, C. et al. The RSD code: proposal for a nomenclature of allelic configurations in STR-PCR-based chimerism testing after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Leukemia 20, 1448–1452 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2404267

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2404267

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links