title: HLA class II specificities and haplotypes in South Africa detected using polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide typing.
abstract: DNA sequencing of HLA class II alleles has revealed a degree of polymorphism much greater than was expected on the basis of the standard serological typing methods. Amplification of the polymorphic second exon of the class II genes using the polymerase chain reaction, followed by hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes, allows the unambiguous identification of alleles which could not be detected previously. Using the protocols of the Eleventh International Histocompatibility Workshop, we have applied this procedure for the typing of several individuals and their families with suspected alleles that had been observed using serology, cellular typing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLPs). These included an allele related to DRw8 and DRw14, which has only been observed in the mixed ancestral South African population. In addition, unusual combinations of class II genes forming unique haplotypic associations were seen.
authors.affiliation: Provincial Laboratory for Tissue Immunology, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Martell
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arendse
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Du Toit
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics*; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D059810:HLA-DR Serological Subtypes; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059810:HLA-DR Serological Subtypes; C082411:HLA-DR12 antigen; C052238:HLA-DR14; C051104:HLA-DR52 antigen; C041559:HLA-DR8 antigen; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D004247:DNA