Human leukocyte antigen-DQA1 gene allelic distribution: experience of a major tertiary care center in Lebanon

First report on HLA-DPA1 gene allelic distribution in the general Lebanese population

Aims

HLA-DPA1 is an important marker in bone marrow and organ transplantation and a highly emerging screening parameter in histocompatibility laboratories. Being highly polymorphic, it has another significant value in detecting population origins and migrations. This is the first study to assess DPA1 allele frequencies in an Arab population.

Methods

The HLA DPA1 alleles were identified using the One-Lambda assays on a Luminex reverse SSO DNA typing system. Our study included 101 individuals coming from different Lebanese geographical areas representing the different communities and religious sects of the country.

Results

We compared the results of this study to 16 different populations and found very interesting similarities and differences between Lebanese people and individuals of European ancestry.

Conclusion

This study is the first to describe the different allelic frequencies of HLA-DPA1 in the Lebanese population and will serve as a template that can be later used for disease association studies both at the level of the country and internationally.