HLA antigens in a sample of the Spanish population: common features among Spaniards, Basques, and Sardinians

Frequencies of recently described HLA-A,-B (antigens or splits) and HLA-C and HLA-DR antigens are studied in a 450 normal Spaniards sample. The linkage disequilibria are also calculated. HLA-DR7 is more frequent than in any other population studied. Aw30-B18 and Aw33-B14 associations are common and specific Spanish, Basque, and Sardinian HLA features. A11-B17 association is found in our Spanish sample and also in Basques. HLA-Bw4,-Bw6 antigens are analyzed by family mating and segregation and also using unrelated individuals. It shows a good fit as a genetic system. HLA-B antigens are included either in Bw4 or Bw6 according to expectations from other Caucasoid population results. The possibility of a common and North African origin (Iberians) for Spaniards, Basques, and Sardinians is discussed on the basis of presently available HLA data.