Distribution of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 families of alleles and haplotypes in Vojvodina population

Major histocompatibility complex encoding human leucocyte antigens (HLA) is a highly polymorphic gene cluster that makes it a valuable tool in the population genetic studies. The aim of our study was to compare HLA class II gene frequencies with other populations from Europe and to determine the relationship between the investigated populations. In this study, one hundred and twenty healthy individuals from Vojvodina, northern Serbia, were studied for 18 of the HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 loci. The HLA families of alleles were analysed by using sequence-specific primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP). The results showed the increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*11(0.333), -DRB1*04(0.300), -DRB1*07(0.250), -DQB1*03(0.730) and -DQB1* 05(0.391), among the tested families of alleles. The two-locus haplotype analysis revealed significant positive linkage disequilibrium for DRB1*11DQB1*03 (Delta = 0.0788, chi(2) = 12.61) and DRB1*04DQB1*03 (Delta = 0.0583, chi(2) = 8.04). A phylogenetic tree constructed on the basis of the DRB1* gene frequencies derived from other populations revealed the clustering among the Vojvodina population together with other populations in Europe (Croats, Austrians and Hungarians). Close relationship of the Vojvodina population with the populations of Hungarians and Austrians can be the result of their historical influence on the region of Vojvodina.