Population diversity of B-locus alleles observed by high-resolution DNA typing

HLA B-locus typing by group-specific PCR and hybridization with SSOP was performed in 81 10th IHWS B cell lines and 334 selected subjects of our local panel, from four ethnic groups. Most of the B-locus serological specificities were well defined. However, some antigens like B41, B58, B56, the splits of B14, and some subtypes of B5, were not accurately assigned by serology. In the panel studied, we found 17 hybridization patterns that corresponded to probable new alleles. New patterns occurred in the four ethnic groups examined. Multiple subtypes of B35, B5, B15, B41, B44, B57, B58, B70, B14, B40, B22 were found in subjects of the same ethnic group. In view of the poor serological definition of some alleles, and the occurrence of multiple subtypes in the same ethnic population, it appears that high resolution B-locus typing may be an important addition for detection of potentially relevant HLA incompatibilities in transplantation. It should also be valuable for population studies and for the investigation of HLA associations with diseases.