HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies defined by next generation sequencing in a population of East Croatia blood donors

Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 26;10(1):5513. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-62175-9.

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is increasingly used in transplantation settings, but also as a method of choice for in-depth analysis of population-specific HLA genetic architecture and its linkage to various diseases. With respect to complex ethnic admixture characteristic for East Croatian population, we aimed to investigate class-I (HLA-A, -B, -C) and class-II (HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1) HLA diversity at the highest, 4-field resolution level in 120 healthy, unrelated, blood donor volunteers. Genomic DNA was extracted and HLA genotypes of class I and DQA1 genes were defined in full-length, -DQB1 from intron 1 to 3' UTR, and -DRB1 from intron 1 to intron 4 (Illumina MiSeq platform, Omixon Twin algorithms, IMGT/HLA release 3.30.0_5). Linkage disequilibrium statistics, Hardy-Weinberg departures, and haplotype frequencies were inferred by exact tests and iterative Expectation-Maximization algorithm using PyPop 0.7.0 and Arlequin v3.5.2.2 software. Our data provide first description of 4-field allele and haplotype frequencies in Croatian population, revealing 192 class-I and class-II alleles and extended haplotypic combinations not apparent from the existing 2-field HLA reports from Croatia. This established reference database complements current knowledge of HLA diversity and should prove useful in future population studies, transplantation settings, and disease-associated HLA screening.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Donors
  • Croatia
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • HLA-A Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-B Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-C Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-DQ alpha-Chains / genetics*
  • HLA-DQ beta-Chains / genetics*
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains / genetics
  • Haplotypes
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • White People / genetics*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-C Antigens
  • HLA-DQ alpha-Chains
  • HLA-DQ beta-Chains
  • HLA-DQA1 antigen
  • HLA-DQB1 antigen
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains