title: Genetic HLA Study of Kurds in Iraq, Iran and Tbilisi (Caucasus, Georgia): Relatedness and Medical Implications.
abstract: Kurds from Iraq (Dohuk and Erbil Area, North Iraq) have been analyzed for HLA genes. Their HLA genetic profile has been compared with that of other Kurd groups from Iran and Tbilisi (Georgia, Caucasus) and also Worldwide populations. A total of 7,746 HLA chromosomes have been used. Genetic distances, NJ dendrograms and correspondence analyses have been carried out. Haplotype HLA-B*52-DRB1*15 is present in all three analyzed Kurd populations. HLA-A*02-B*51-DRB1*11 is present in Iraq and Georgia Kurds. Haplotypes common to Iran and Iraq Kurds are HLA DRB1*11-DQB1*03, HLA DRB1*03-DQB1*02 and others in a lower frequency. Our HLA study conclusions are that Kurds most probably belong to an ancient Mediterranean / Middle East / Caucasian genetic substratum and that present results and those previously obtained by us in Kurds may be useful for Medicine in future Kurd transplantation programs, HLA Epidemiology (HLA linked diseases) and Pharmacogenomics (HLA-associated drug side effects) and also for Anthropology. It is discussed that one of the most ancient Kurd ancestor groups is in Hurrians (2,000 years BC).
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University Complutense, School of Medicine, Madrid Regional Blood Center, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arnaiz-Villena
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University Complutense, School of Medicine, Madrid Regional Blood Center, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palacio-Grüber
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University Complutense, School of Medicine, Madrid Regional Blood Center, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muñiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University Complutense, School of Medicine, Madrid Regional Blood Center, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University Complutense, School of Medicine, Madrid Regional Blood Center, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alonso-Rubio
authors.affiliation: Department of Inmunología Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Autopista A6, Hipódromo, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gomez-Casado
authors.affiliation: HLA Typing Department, Dohuk Specialized Laboratory Center, Dohuk, Iraq.
authors.forename: Shadallah Fareq
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Salih
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University Complutense, School of Medicine, Madrid Regional Blood Center, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martin-Villa
authors.affiliation: HLA Typing Department, Dohuk Specialized Laboratory Center, Dohuk, Iraq.
authors.forename: Rawand
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Al-Qadi
mesh_terms: D005846:Georgia (Republic); D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006239:Haplotypes; D007492:Iran; D007493:Iraq; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens