Sequence of HLA-DRB1*0818 in a bone marrow donor

Exon 2 of a new HLA-DR8 subtype, DRB1*0818, was cloned and sequenced in a volunteer bone marrow donor. This new allele differs from DRB1*0805 by one single nucleotide in codon 67 resulting in an amino acid substitution from phenylalanine to isoleucine. Codon 67 dimorphism appears to be more frequent in DR8 and DR11 haplotypes. The HLA typing of the donor was A*0201/33 B*51/4403 Cw*0202/14 DRB1*0408/0818 DQB1*0302/0402. This new HLA-DR8 variant is very rare, at least in Caucasoids.