O768 - Analysis of HLA class II allele frequencies on the island of HVAR-Croatia

Abstract

The island of Hvar belongs to the group of Middle Dalmatian Islands, part of the territory of the Republic of Croatia. Geography, ethnohistory and demography of the island of Hvar indicate that analyses of genetic features needs to be based on west-east dichotomy. As part of the anthropology component of the 12th workshop we have studied 105 unrelated inhabitants of Hvar. The DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, DRB5, DQA1, DQB1 gene polymorphism was analysed by PCR-SSOP method using 12th Workshop primers and probes. On the basis of association data together with knowledge of haplotypes previously defined we were able to determine which DR-DQ haplotypes were probably carried by each individual. Thirty-one DRB1, 4 DRB3, 2 DRB5, / DQA1, 16 DQB1 alleles have been identified. Analysis of DRB1-DQA1-DQB1 haplotypes revealed a great diversity. Thirty-four and 38 distinct haplotypes have been identified on the east and west part of the island, respectively. Significant differences were observed between those two parts of island for 1.DRB1*0701 allele (p?0.001) 2.DQA1*0201 allele (p?0.01) and 3.DRB1*0101-DQA*0101-DQB1*0501 haplotype (p?0.05). Unusual haplotype DRB1*0101-DQA*0101-DQB1*0501 was found in 2 individuals from the west and in 3 individuals from the east while unusual haplotype DRB1*1501-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0604 was observed only on the western part. These data support the previously observed west-east dichotomy of the island of Hvar.