HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 allele distribution in a large Armenian population sample

• Published in: Tissue antigens 2011-07, Vol.78 (1), p.21-30
• Main Authors: Matevosyan, L., Chattopadhyay, S., Madelian, V., Avagyan, S., Nazaretyan, M., Hyussian, A., Vardapetyan, E., Arutunyan, R., Jordan, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: allele frequency; Alleles; Armenia - epidemiology; Armenia - ethnology; Armenian populations; Bone marrow; DNA typing; Donors; Drb1 protein; Ethnic groups; Ethnic Groups - genetics; Gene Frequency; Genetic distance; genetic distances; Genetic Variation; Genetics, Population; Genotype; Haplotypes; Histocompatibility antigen HLA; HLA-A Antigens - genetics; HLA-B Antigens - genetics; HLA-DR Antigens - genetics; HLA-DRB1 Chains; human leukocyte antigen; Humans; Iran - epidemiology; Lebanon - epidemiology; Polymerase chain reaction; Population genetics; Population Groups - genetics; Primers; United States - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0001-2815; 1399-0039
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2011.01668.x

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A, HLA‐B, and HLA‐DRB1 gene frequencies were investigated in 4279 unrelated Armenian bone marrow donors. HLA alleles were defined by using PCR amplification with sequence specific primers (PCR‐SSP) high‐ and low‐resolution kits. The aim of this study was to examine the HLA diversity at the high‐resolution level in a large Armenian population sample, and to compare HLA allele group distribution in Armenian subpopulations. The most frequently observed alleles in the HLA class I were HLA‐A*0201, A*0101, A*2402, A*0301, HLA‐B*5101, HLA‐B*3501, and B*4901. Among DRB1 alleles, high frequencies of DRB1*1104 and DRB1*1501 were observed, followed by DRB1*1101 and DRB1*1401. The most common three‐locus haplotype found in the Armenian population was A*33‐B*14‐DRB1*01, followed by A*03‐B*35‐DRB1*01. Our results show a similar distribution of alleles in Armenian subpopulations from different countries, and from different regions of the Republics of Armenia and Karabagh. The low level of genetic distances between subpopulations indicates a high level of population homogeneity, and the genetic distances between Armenians and other populations show Armenians as a distinct ethnic group relative to others, reflecting the fact that Armenians have been an ‘isolated population’ throughout centuries. This study is the first comprehensive investigation of HLA–allele group distribution in a subset of Armenian populations, and the first to provide HLA–allele and haplotype frequencies at a high‐resolution level. It is a valuable reference for organ transplantation and for future studies of HLA‐associated diseases in Armenian populations.