DNA typing revealing high HLA-Cw polymorphism completes availability of major histocompatibility complex loci in forensic medicine

Studies of human population genetics in Hungary have revealed relevant heterogeneity in the major histocompatibility complex. In the present studies, two isolated ethnic groups were chosen: people living in the Káli Basin westward from the Danube River, and those living in Opusztaszer, a village eastward from Danube, who are known as native ancient Hungarians. Blood samples were collected from 70 people in the Káli Basin and from 45 people in Opusztaszer. The frequency of HLA-Cw alleles was determined by serology as well as by DNA typing in 46 and 32 samples of the two populations, respectively, and in 44 randomly selected subjects of Hungarian origin. Compared with a random population of cadaver donors (the deaths having resulted mostly from accidents or, in a smaller number, strokes or heart infarcts) and voluntary bone marrow donors (typed in the last 10 years) recruited from all parts of Hungary and representing the mixed Hungarian population, remarkable differences were found in haplotype and allele frequencies. HLA-A, -B, -Cw typing was performed by serology and, in the case of the HLA-Cw locus, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-SSP and/or PCR-SSOP techniques, as well. The PCR-SSO oligotyping procedure allowed the identification of 32 Cw alleles in contrast with the 9 serologically detectable types. Because of the combination of low antigen expression and the lack of specific serologic reagents of good quality, no HLA-Cw antigens were detectable in 41%, and only one was detected in 48%, of the investigated individuals by standard serologic typing. With PCR-SSO typing, however, 97% of the investigated individuals proved to be heterozygous for HLA-Cw alleles. The two isolated populations differed from each other, from mixed Hungarian and other Caucasian populations in HLA-Cw* allele frequencies, as well as in haplotype distribution. This newly recognized polymorphism at the HLA-Cw locus completes the availability of major histocompatibility complex typing in forensic science and practice.

Heterogeneity in the distribution of ABO blood groups in Hungary

Estimates of the gene frequencies for the ABO system (i = 0.5593, IA = 0.2989, IB = 0.1418) based on a random sample of more than two hundred thousand voluntary donors from the 19 countries of Hungary are provided. Populations West of the Danube differ significantly from those East of the Danube for the frequencies of i and IB. These data are consistent with previous ones on the HP gene.

[Distribution of ABO groups in patients undergoing heart surgery]

The authors examined retrospectively the AB0 blood groups of 3982 patients who underwent cardiac surgery. There were 3392 cases of acquired heart disease, 590 congenital heart disease. They found significant difference in the total patients blood groups distribution in contrast to the control group. Further significant differences were found in the following cases: 1. total male patients, 2. acquired heart disease (both males and females), 3. isolated aortic valve disease (both males and females), 4. ischaemic heart disease (only males). In regard to the total patients group, their findings suggest significant difference between the males and females blood group distribution. This observation was peculiar to the acquired heart diseases only. They conclude that there is a positive correlation between AB0 blood groups and certain cardiac diseases, most notably, ischaemic heart disease in male patients.

Haptoglobin polymorphism in Hungary

The haptoglobin phenotype was determined in 2609 blood samples collected from every Hungarian county. The results of the nation-wide survey are in agreement with those of a series of previous studies in which only Budapest inhabitants were investigated. However, a statistically significant difference was found in the haptoglobin phenotype frequency and distribution of people living west and east of the Danube. A lower HP*1 frequency was observed in the inhabitants of the eastern part of Hungary when compared to those living in the western part.

[Genetic traits in the area of Bodrogköz]

In 1984 a late malaria endemic area, called Bodrogköz was studied. This was a reexamination of the population genetic work performed by Walter, Nemeskéri. In six villages of Bodrogköz 328 persons were tested for AB0, Rh blood groups, haptoglobins, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, erythrocyte amount, the MCV, the MCH and the G-6-PD were analyzed. The quantitative determination of HbF and HbA2, red cell osmotic resistance and thalassemia were measured as well. Thalassemia heterozygote carriers and an increased level of HbF were revealed. The frequency of G-6-PD deficiency was 0.39%. In Bodrogköz the frequencies of AB0, Rh and haptoglobin types were similar in the present and all previous studies. The background of this similarity might be the genetic similarity between two following generations. On the basis of these facts, the Hb0 Arab and partially DNA work we suggested an alternative hypothesis that these mutant genes got into Bodrogköz by the rather later migration than with ancient Hungarian people during the period of conquest of Hungary.

Sclerosis multiplex in gypsies

MS rarely occurs in gypsies in Hungary despite the high DR2 frequency. When it does occur, it has special features more resembling that of Asians than Central Europeans. In order to find correlation between the clinical observations and the immunogenetical data, the distribution of DQw1 subtypes was investigated by means of Eco RV - DQ beta RFLP in DR2 positive healthy gypsies and Hungarians, as well asin DR2-positive Hungarian and unselected gypsy MS patients. DQw6 correlated with MS susceptibility in Hungarians. This allotype was completely absent in healthy DR2-positive gypsies. DR2-positive gypsy MS patients, however, carried DQw6. No correlation of complement allotypes with the occurrence of MS was found in Hungarians, while a striking elevation of C4 Q0 occurred in gypsy MS patients compared with healthy individuals in the gypsy group. The absence of the DR2, DW2, DQw6 haplotype, and the frequency of C4A Q0 in healthy gypsies seems to be associated with the low MS prevalence, but genes outside this region might also influence the MS susceptibility.

Complement C2, C3, C4 and factor B allele distribution in the Gipsy population in Hungary

Allotype frequencies of four complement proteins (C3, C2, factor B, and C4) were tested in 150 healthy Hungarian and 126 healthy Gipsy individuals living in Hungary. We observed significant differences between the two ethnic groups in the incidence of C3*F, Bf*F, C4A*Q0, C4A*3, C4B*1 and C4B*2 allotypes. Bf*F occurred more frequently among Gipsies, while frequencies for the other three allotypes was lower in this group than in Hungarians. The similarities in the allotype frequencies of C3 and Bf among Gipsy and Gaddis (India) populations supports the Indian origin of the former ethnic group.

Taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide in a sample of Hungarian Gipsies

PTC sensitivity in Gipsy and non-Gipsy populations of Hungary was evaluated. A significantly high difference was observed between the proportions of non-tasters among the Gipsies (39.3 per cent) and the non-Gipsies (26.4 per cent). These results are regarded as a probable confirmation of the Indian origin of the Gipsies, as the percentage of non-tasters in the majority of the different Indian tribes is higher than that of the European populations.

Immunoglobulin allotypes in Hungarian Gypsies. Relationship to populations from India

The allotypic markers of immunoglobulin heavy chains (Gm, Am and Em allotypes) provide important contributions to the differentiation between populations, and they are informative for tracing racial origin, migration and admixture of isolates and stray groups. The combined G1m; G2m; G3m; A2m; Em haplotypes are a highly polymorphic system that is a powerful tool in population genetics because of the existence of haplotypes that are unique for a particular race. In this paper, data on Gypsies living in Hungary are compared with those obtained in other populations, in particular Hindus and non-Hindus from India. The analysis agrees with anthropological and philological evidence for population movements from Asia to Europe.

The HLA antigen distribution in the Gipsy population in Hungary

A group of Gipsies living in two distinct geographic areas in Hungary was determined for HLA-A,B,C,DR antigens during the 8th Histocompatibility Workshop. A quite strange distribution of HLA antigens was found after comparing the data to those of Hungarian population. HLA-A1, Bw52, Bw22, B40, Cw1, DR2 and DRw8 are significantly increased in Gipsies, while A3, B7, B12, Cw3, DRw6 and DR7 are decreased. The strongest gametic associations were determined between the allele pairs A1/Bw61, A2/Bw52, Bw22/Cw1, DR2/Bw52 and DRw8/B40. Some deviations from the Hungarian controls were detected in the distribution of the blood groups too. Specifically, the incidence of Rh/D negativity and Gm/2/ factor positivity is much lower and the incidence of Gm/1/ factor positivity is much higher than in the control Hungarian population. These differences between Gipsy and Hungarian populations indicate their different ethnic origin, and suggest the Middle-Eastern roots of the Gipsy population.