The polymorphism at the HLA-DPB1 locus was investigated in 490 Austria
n individuals. Exon 2 sequences of the HLA-DPB1 genes were amplified b
y polymerase chain reaction and probed with a panel of sequence-specif
ic oligonucleotide probes. HLA-DPB1 genotypes were deduced from the hy
bridization pattern of the probes. HLA-DPB1 allele frequencies and Har
dy-Weinberg equilibrium were calculated. Linkage disequilibria between
HLA-DPB1 and HLA-DQA1 alleles were determined. Four novel hybridizati
on patterns indicating new alleles were found.