HLA-A, -B, -DR and -DQ allele and haplotype frequencies in the Moroccan population: a general population study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this general population study is to extend our knowledge about the HLA-A, -B, -DR and -DQ genes distribution and their diversity among the Moroccan population.


METHODS
One hundred and ten unrelated healthy Moroccans from diverse regions of the country were included in the study. HLA typing was done either by serological (standard complement dependent microlymphocytotoxicity) and/or molecular (sequence-specific primer amplification) techniques.


RESULTS
The most frequent alleles observed were: HLA-A2 (19.1%), -A1 (10%), -A3 (10%), -B44 (9.6%), -DR3 (17.1%), -DR4 (15.3%), -DQ2 (30.6%), -DQ6 (26.4%) and -DQ3 (25%). No predominant haplotype was observed for HLA A-B while high frequency was observed for some HLA DR-DQ associations (DR3-DQ2, DR15-DQ6, DR7-DQ2, DR4-DQ3, DR13-DQ6). Comparison with neighbouring populations, on the basis of alleles, haplotypes and genetic distances, showed that Moroccan population is close to the Algerians, the Tunisians, the Spaniards and the French. The haplotype frequencies revealed also relationships with Italians, Sardinians, Basques, Portuguese and Moroccan Jews populations.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirm and extend the current knowledge about the Moroccan genetic pattern and reflect all the ethnic diversity of the country. This study will be helpful in the future for clinical analysis like transplantation and HLA-associated diseases in Moroccan population.
Brick
C
C
Service de transfusion sanguine et d'hémovigilance, unité d'immunologie, CHU Ibn-Sina, Rabat, Morocco. brickchehrazade@yahoo.fr
Bennani
N
N
Atouf
O
O
Essakalli
M
M
D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005828:Genetics, Population; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D014019:Tissue Donors; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens