HLA-DRB and-DQB1 polymorphism in the Macedonian population

HLA-DRB1, DRB3/4/5 and DQB1 polymorphism has been studied in a population o f 80 unrelated healthy Macedonians using molecular methods. Twenty-five dif ferent DRB1 alleles were identified of which DRB1*1104, *1501, *1601, and * 1101 were found most frequently. Among the 15 identified DQB1 alleles, two were predominant: DQB1*0301 and *0502. The most frequent three-locus haplot ypes were DRB1*1104-DRB3*02DQB1*0301 (18%), DRB1*1101-DRB3*02-DQB1*0301 (9% ) and DRB1*1601-DRB5*02-DQB1*0502 (10 %), Polymorphism for DRB1*04, *13 and *15 haplotypes was extensive. Eleven different DR2-related haplotypes were found, some of which were unusual for European populations: DRB1*1501-DRB5 *0102-DQB1*0502, DRB1*1501-DRB5*02-DQB1*0502, DRB1*1501-DRB5*0102-DQB1*0601 .