HLA polymorphism in a Guarani‐Indian population from Paraguay and its usefulness for the Hispano‐Indian admixture study in Paraguay

In this study we investigated the human leucocyte antigen‐A (HLA‐A), ‐B and DRB1 polymorphism of Native American population of Paraguay, the Guarani Indians. We found that the HLA variability consisted of 5 HLA‐A, 7 HLA‐B and 6 HLA‐DRB1 groups of alleles and of several specific alleles ( B*1504, B*3505, B*3912, B*4004, B*5104, DRB1*0411, DRB1*1413) common in other Native American populations. The comparison of the HLA polymorphism of the Guaranis from Paraguay with the «Mestizos» of Paraguay and the Spaniards showed that the «Mestizos» of Paraguay are genetically very distant from the Guarani Indians of Paraguay but much more close to the Spaniards. This can be explained, at least in part, by the history of the country. Our results are of importance in transplantation, in particular in the search for an unrelated donor for a Paraguayan patient requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.     

昆明彝族人群HLA-DRB1、DQB1基因多态性

目的　调查昆明彝族 HL A- DRB1、DQB1基因的多态性。方法　应用聚合酶链反应 -序列特异性引物基因分型技术 ,对昆明地区 70名彝族健康儿童进行了 HL A- DRB1、DQB1位点的基因分型。结果在 HL A- DRB1位点共检出了 12种等位基因 ,其中等位基因频率大于 10 %的依次为 HL A- DRB1* 12 (33.5 7% )、DRB1* 0 90 1(11.4 3% )、DRB1* 0 4 (11.4 3% ) ,等位基因频率大于 5 %而小于 10 %的依次为 DRB1* 0 1(8.5 7% )、DRB1* 11(7.86 % )、DRB1* 14 (7.14 % )、DRB1* 15 (7.14 % )、DRB1* 0 8(5 % ) ,等位基因频率小于 5 %依次为 HL A- DRB1* 0 3(2 .86 % )、DRB1* 13(2 .14 % )、DRB1* 0 7(1.4 3% )、DRB1* 16 (1.4 3% )。在 HL A- DQB1位点共检出了 7种等位基因 ,其中等位基因频率大于 10 %的依次为 HL A- DQB1*0 30 1(45 % )、DQB1* 0 5 (2 2 .14 % )、DQB1* 0 30 3(12 .14 % ) ,等位基因频率大于 5 %而小于 10 %的依次为DQB1* 0 4 (6 .4 3% )、DQB1* 0 6 (6 .4 3% ) ,等位基因频率小于 5 %的依次为 DQB1* 0 2 0 1(4.2 9% )、DQB1* 0 30 2 (3.5 7% )。结论　昆明彝族 HL A基因多态性分布不同于北方汉族人群 ,也不同于南方汉族人群 ,有其独特性。     

青海土族人群HLA-DRB1等位基因多态性分析

目的：分析青海土族人群HLA-DRB1位点等位基因多态性特点。方法：采用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应技术,对青海互助地区50名健康无血缘关系的土族个体HLA-DRB1基因座进行分型,并与国内其他地区少数民族人群进行比较。结果：青海土族人群中HLA-DRB基因座共检出16个等位基因,其中DRB1＊04、DRB1＊08、DRB1＊14、DRB1＊15、DRB3＊、DRB4＊基因频率较高；DRB1＊06、DRB1＊07、DRB1＊09、DRB1＊13、DRB1＊16、DRB1＊23基因频率较低。结论：青海土族HLA有独特性。青海土族基因频率与蒙古族有相似之处。     

兰州地区汉族人群HLA-A、B和DRB1等位基因多态性分析

目的分析兰州地区汉族人群HLA-A、B和DRB1位点等位基因多态性特点。方法采用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应技术对兰州地区200名健康无血缘关系的汉族个体HLA-A、B和DRB1基因座进行分型，并与西北、北方和南方汉族、西北回族、维吾尔族和藏族人群进行比较。结果兰州汉族人群中HLA-A基因座共检出14个等位基因，以A＊02，A＊11，A＊24，A＊33，A＊30，A＊01和A＊31基因最常见；HLA—B基因座共检出32个等位基因，以B＊40，B＊15，B＊46，B＊13，B＊51，B＊60，B＊58和B＊44基因最为常见；HLA-DRB1基因座共检出13个等位基因，最多见的基因依次为DRB1＊09．DRB＊15，DRB1＊12，DRB1＊04，DRB1＊11，DRB1＊07，DRB1＊08和DRB1＊14，接近北方汉族而与南方汉族有差异，与西北回族无明显差异，但与西北维吾尔族和藏族差异有统计学意义。结论兰州地区汉族人群HLA-A、B和DRB1位点等位基因多态性与南、北汉族人群存在不同程度的差异，与西北维吾尔族和藏族差异显著。     

云南昆明彝族和汉族儿童HLA-DRB1等位基因的多态性研究

目的研究昆明彝族和汉族儿童HLA-DRB1基因的多态性,探讨其在昆明彝族和汉族人群中的遗传特征。方法应用PCR-SSP基因分型技术,对云南昆明地区70名彝族和72名汉族健康儿童进行了HLA-DRB1位点的基因分型。结果昆明彝族儿童HLA-DRB1位点共检出了12种等位基因,其中以HLA-DRB1*12(33.57％)、DRB1*0901(11.43％)、DRB1*04(11.43％)较常见,其它基因频率大于5％的等位基因还有HLA-DRB1*01(8.57％)、DRB1*11(7.86％)、DRB1*14(7.14％)、DRB1*15(7.14％)、DRB1*08(5％);昆明汉族儿童HLA-DRB1位点共检出了12种等位基因,其中以HLA-DRB1*12(20.14％)、DRB1*0901(19.44％)、DRB1*04(18.06％)较常见,其他基因频率大于10％的等位基因还有HLA-DRB1*08(11.11％)、DRB1*15(10.42％);与北方汉族人群、南方汉族人群HLA-DRB1等位基因分布进行了比较,均有显著性差异(P<0.001)。结论昆明彝族和汉族HLA基因多态性分布有其特点,他们既不同于北方汉族人群也不同南方汉族人群,有其独特性。可能与复杂的民族迁移历史和民族融合及云南独特的地理环境有关。     

HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 allele frequencies in the Bangladeshi population

Population genetic studies have become an invaluable tool because of the extreme polymorphism found at some of the loci of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. In this study, we are reporting for the first time the genetic polymorphism of 141 healthy unrelated Bangladeshi Bangalees living in central region of Dhaka. We studied the HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 loci using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. The allelic frequencies, two and three locus haplotype frequencies were statistically analyzed. A total of 16 HLA-A alleles, 26 HLA-B alleles and 14 HLA-DRB1 alleles were detected. A*33-B*44 (8.15%) was the most common two loci class 1 haplotype, whereas A*33-B*44-DRB1*07 (6.38%) was the most frequent three loci haplotype. The most common HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles were A*33 (17.02%), B*15 (19.5%) and DRB1*15 (29.07%), respectively. Construction of phylogenetic tree using average linkage between groups and correspondence analysis showed close associations with Indian non-tribal random Dravidians, north Indian Hindus and some relations with Mongolian and Pakistani populations. We believe this data will provide useful information for bone marrow registry, legal medicine, disease association and anthropological studies.     

HLA-DRB1 alleles and HLA-DRB1 shared epitopes are markers for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis subgroups in Colombian mestizos

We studied the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles and HLA haplotypes with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in 65 patients and 65 controls from Colombia. The JRA subsets were distinguished on the basis of criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology. Two alleles were associated with protection, HLA-DRB1*1501 (p = 0.002) and HLA-DRB1*1402 (p = 0.01). HLA-DRB1*1602 (p = 0.0000002) was associated with susceptibility for systemic JRA and HLA-DRB1*1104 (p = 0.0002) for pauciarticular JRA. Amino acid sequences at residues 70-74 of DRB1 chain shared by HLA-DRB1 alleles (shared epitomes) were also informative. The polyarticular JRA subset revealed association with (70)QRRAA(74), which includes HLA-DRB1*04, 01, and (70)DRRAA(74), which includes DRB1*1601, 1602, 1101, and 1104. Two new findings of interest were the association of the haplotypes DRB1*1104, DQB1*0301(p = 0.0002) with pauciarticular JRA and DRB1*1602, DQB1*0301 (p = 0.0000002) association with systemic JRA. The DRB1 alleles of these two haplotypes share the epitope (70)DRRAA(74)and were associated with both the pauciarticular and the systemic subset of JRA. Our results suggest that studies of disease susceptibility in populations of admixed genetic background should take into account the contribution of different ethnic groups or nationalities in the recruitment of controls and patients studied in order to rule out genetic stratification.     

Linkage between HLA-DRB1 and -DRB3 types in the Japanese population analyzed by oligonucleotide genotyping.

We analyzed linkage between HLA-DRB1 and -DRB3 types in 219 Japanese donors by oligonucleotide genotyping. In the Japanese population, DRB1*1201 was linked with DRB3*0101 in all donors analyzed; in contrast, most Caucasian DRB1*1201 is known to be linked with DRB3*02(01/02) (*0201 or *0202). However, most DRB1*1202 was linked with DRB3*0301. Thus, the two DRw12-related DRB1 types are linked with DRB3 types distinct from each other. All the three DRw14-related DRB1 types, DRB1*1401, DRB1*1402, and DRB1*1405, were linked with DRB3*02(01/02) in the Japanese population, contrasting with the known linkage between DRB1*1402 and DRB3*0101 in other ethnic populations. The serologically "blank" DR type, DRB1*1403, was linked with DRB3*0101. Other DRB1 types, DRB1*0301, DRB1*11(01/04) (*1101 or *1104), and DRB1*13(01/02) (*1301 or *1302) in the Japanese population were linked mostly with the same DRB3 types, like those known in other ethnic populations.     

Resequencing of the human major histocompatibility complex in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls in Alaska Natives of Southeast Alaska

High prevalence and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an early age of onset have previously been described in Alaska Native and American Indian (AN/AI) populations. The contribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles encoding a similar amino acid sequence, referred to as the shared epitope (SE), to RA risk is well recognized in multiple populations worldwide. DRB1*1402 allele is the major SE-encoding allele in AN/AI populations. However, DRB1*1402 is highly prevalent in healthy Alaska Natives of Southeast Alaska (AN), with no significant difference from RA patients, indicating this allele alone is not informative for defining genetic risk and non-human leukocyte antigen (non-HLA) genes are likely important in AN. We sought to deep resequence the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) to characterize the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotypes within this region in RA cases and controls in AN. Approximately 99 kb of the MHC was resequenced with 95 amplicons throughout this region. Thirty-four cases and 74 controls were examined. A total of 696 SNPs were discovered from 85 of the selected 95 amplicons. Disease association signals were detected for nine of the 95 amplicons analyzed. Increased risk of RA was associated with five amplicons in the class I, class II or class III region and resistance to disease with four amplicons in the class I region. Our results indicate that non-HLA MHC genes and/or unknown exogenous factors likely modulate risk of RA in the AN population.     

内蒙古地区鄂温克族人群HLA-DRB1基因多态性

目的对内蒙古鄂温克族人群人类白细胞抗原（human leukocyte antigen，HLA）Ⅱ类基因DRB1位点进行基因型检测。方法采用DNA序列分析的分型技术（sequencing based typing，SBT），对84名鄂温克族个体进行分析。结果DRB1等位基因中，共检出25种等位基因，内蒙古鄂温克族以DRB1＊03011（14．88％）的频率最高，其次为DRB1＊09012（13．69％）、＊07011（8．92％）、＊04011（9．52％）、12011（8．33％）。结论鄂温克族人群中HLA—DRB1分布特征有其独特性，为本民族的人类学及疾病相关性研究提供了重要的参考依据。     

Molecular analysis of HLA-DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DQ promoter polymorphism and extended class I/class II haplotypes in the Seri Indians from Northwest Mexico

The study of the genetics of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) in Amerindians is of great value in understanding the origins and migrations of these native groups, as well as the impact of immunogenetics on the epidemiology of diseases affecting these populations. We analyzed, using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide Probes (PCR-SSOP), DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 alleles and the promoter regions of DQA1 and DQB1 genes in 31 unrelated and 24 related Seri, a Mexican Indian group, from the state of Sonora (Northwest Mexico). The class II genotypes of this population were found to be in genetic equilibrium. The allele frequency (AF) of the prevalent DRB1 alleles were DRB1*0407 (48.4%), DRB1*0802 (33.9%) and DRB1*1402 (16.1%). The most frequent DQA1 and DQB1 alleles were DQA1*03011 (AF = 50.00%), DQA1*0401 (AF = 33.87%) and DQA1*0501 (AF = 16.13%); DQB1*0302 (AF = 50.00%), DQB1*0402 (33.87%) and DQB1*0301 (16.13%); which were in combination with DRB1*0407, DRB1*0802 and DRB1*1402, respectively. Three QAP and three QBP alleles were present (QAP 3.1, 4.1, 4.2; QBP 3.1, 3.21, 4.1) associated with the typical published DQA1 and DQB1 alleles. Four class II haplotypes were present in family members: DRB1*0407-QAP-3.1-DQA1*03011-QBP-3.21-DQB1*0302; DRB1*0802-QAP-4.2-DQA1*0401-QBP-4.1-DQB1*0402; DRB1*1402-QAP-4.1-DQA1*0501-QBP-3.1-DQB1*0301 and DRB1*0701-QAP-2.1-DQA1*0201-QBP-2.1-DQB1*0201. The family data were used to confirm extended haplotypes. A total of 21 haplotypes were found when A* and B* loci were also considered. The three most frequent combinations included A*0201-B*3501-DRB1*0407, A*3101-B*5101-DRB1*0802, and A*0201-B*40-DRB1*1402.     

HLA-DR4 allele frequencies on Indian and Mestizo population from Mexico

Using PCR-SSOP and sequencing, we examined DRB1*04 nucleotide polymorphism in 137 DR4-positive Mexican healthy individuals (46 Mexican Mestizos, 64 Mazatecans, and 27 Nahuas), carrying a total of 147 DR4 haplotypes. Eleven different DRB1*04 alleles were detected in Mexican Mestizo population, whereas, in the two Indian groups a restricted polymorphism was observed (5 variants in Mazatecans and 4 in Nahuas). DRB1*0407 was the most frequent allele (gf = 0.106 in Mexican Mestizos, gf = 0.281 in Mazatecans, and gf = 0.189 in Nahuas). In spite of the restriction in polymorphism, there were differences on DRB1*04 alleles found in Mexicans mainly between Mazatecan and Nahua populations. DRB1*0403 was characteristic allele in Nahua ethnic group, whereas, 0404 and 0411 were predominant alleles in Mazatecans. This data corroborates the restricted polymorphism of DRB1*04 alleles in American populations. In spite of the restriction in this polymorphism, differences in frequencies of DRB1*04 alleles could help distinguish each population.     

江浙沪汉族人群HLA-DRB1基因座遗传特征及不同人群频率分布比较

目的 调查江浙沪汉族人群HLA—DRBl基因座的遗传多态性，分析不同人群HLA-DRBl基因频率分布特征。方法 利用聚合酶链反应—序列特异寡核苷酸探针反向杂交和聚合酶链反应—序列特异引物技术对江浙沪地区626名健康无关汉族人进行HLA—DRBl基因分型，可检出DRBl*0101-1001，DRB3，DRB4，DRB5等等位基因，计算HLA—DRBl等位基因频率并与不同人群HLA—DRBl基因的多态性进行比较。结果 在江浙沪汉族人群中检出HLA—DRBl*0101、0301、0701、09012、1001、1201、1202、1301／02、1303／04、1401／04／05、1402／03／1305、1501／02、16021以及04xx、08xx等等位基因，其中DRBl*09012(17．97％)、04xx(12．53％)、1202(11．42％)及1501／02(11．02％)基因频率分布较高。江浙沪汉族人群无偏倚期望杂合性为0．9634，多态性信息含量为0．9024。结论 江浙沪汉族人群HLA-DRBl基因具有中国汉族人群共有的遗传特征，但也有其自身的分布特点，频率分布介于南、北汉族之间。在所比较的不同人群中中国汉族人群HLA—DRBl多态性较为丰富。     

HLA-DRB1基因多态性与慢性髓性白血病的相关性研究

目的:探讨HLA-DRB1等位基因多态性与慢性髓性白血病(CML)关联性。方法:采用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应(PCR-SSP)DNA分型技术对762例慢性髓性白血病患者(男性492例,女性270例)及2 264例正常对照进行了HLA-DRB1基因分型。结果:正常人群的HLA-DRB1*15等位基因频率最高(17.25%),其次为DRB1*09(14.05%)、DRB1*12(11.73%)和DRB1*04(10.98%),DRB1*10等位基因频率最低(1.39%)。CML患者HLA-DRB1*08等位基因频率显著高于正常对照组(7.48%vs 5.39%,χ2=8.963,OR=1.023,P=0.004),男性患者的DRB1*08基因频率也明显高于正常对照(7.72%vs 5.39%,χ2=8.059,OR=1.025,P=0.007)。女性患者的DRB1*08基因频率也高于正常对照(7.04%vs 5.39%,χ2=0.115,OR=0.995,P=0.774),但没有统计学差异。结论:CML男性患者HLA-DRB1*08的表达明显高于正常人群,提示DRB1*08可能是男性CML患者的易感基因。     

HLA-DR,DQ sequence polymorphisms in Polynesians, Micronesians, and Javanese.

The origins of the Polynesians remain an enigma. Linguistic reconstructions of proto-Austronesian languages suggest a shared origin for Polynesians, Micronesians, and Javanese with dispersal from northern Borneo and Sulawesi. Analysis of 810 chromosomes for nucleotide sequence polymorphism at HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DRB5, DQA1, and DQB1 loci in Polynesian (Rarotonga, Western Samoa, and Niue), Micronesian (Nauru and Kiribati), and Javanese populations showed virtually no overlap of HLA class II haplotypes between contemporary Polynesians and Javanese. Further, there were marked differences in population distributions of some HLA-DRB1 alleles that could not be distinguished in earlier serologic or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies, e.g., for DR12, DRB1*1201 had a frequency of 15%-30% in Polynesians (1% in Micronesians and Javanese), whereas DRB1*1202 had a frequency of 28%-38% in Micronesians and 51% in Javanese (1% in Polynesians). A novel DR6-related allele, DRB1*1408, was found in all three Polynesian study populations. The Polynesian HLA class II genetic repertoire is not readily derived from the island Southeast Asian gene pool.     

HLA-B14 subtyping by semi-nested PCR-SSP and haplotype distribution in a Spanish population

HLA-B14 serological subtyping is very limited probably due to the internal position of the unique amino acid residue that differentiates B64 and B65 molecules. In order to carry out an accurate B14 subtyping we have designed a semi-nested PCR-SSP procedure that can differentiate B*1401 and B*1402 in any HLA-A, -B or -C antigen combination. A panel of 133 B14-positive and 31 B14-negative healthy and unrelated Spanish individuals were studied. Additionally, 45 B14-bearing haplotypes (-A,-B,-C,-DRB1,-DRB3/DRB4/DRB5,-DQA1,-DQB1) were available through family studies. The relative frequencies of HLA-B14 subtypes were 74% for B*1402 and 26% for B*1401, in agreement with those found in other Central European populations, but differing from those in Wales, where the relative presence of B64 goes to 41%. A total of 11/17 and 18/28 different haplotypes for B*1401 and B*1402, respectively, were identified. Both alleles showed the strongest association to Cw8 (43/45), indicating a primary ancestral B14-Cw8 association. However, B14 subtypes evidenced very distinguishable haplotype distributions. B*1401 is strongly associated with the common HLA class II haplotype DRB1*0701-DQA1*0201-DQB1*02 (13/17), while B*1402 is mainly associated to DRB1*0102 (16/28). Three major haplotypes were identified: A32-Cw8-B*1401-DR7-DQ2 (5/17), A33-Cw8-B*1402-DRB1*0102-DQ5 (5/28) and A2-Cw8-B*1402-DRB1*0102-DQ5 (5/28).     

HLA class II and TNF genes in African Americans from the Southeastern United States: regional differences in allele frequencies

Knowledge of population major histocompatibility complex gene frequencies is important for construction of organ donor pools and for studies of disease association. Human leukocyte antigen DRB1 (HLA-DRB1), HLA-DQB1, and TNFalpha -308 (G-A) promoter genetic typing was performed in 112 healthy, unrelated African Americans (AAs) from the southeastern United States. Allele frequencies were compared with published frequency data from other AA populations. Our AA population had the highest frequency of HLA- DRB1*09 (6.7%) reported in any AA population. The frequency of the TNF alpha -308A polymorphism was also high (14.4%), when compared with published frequencies in AAs. Significant regional differences in the distribution of most HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles were observed in all AA populations examined. The AA HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 frequencies also differed from published Caucasian frequencies. This is the first report describing the distribution of TNF alpha promoter alleles in the Southeastern United States. The high DRB1*09 and TNF alpha -308A allele frequencies of our population most resemble the frequencies of these alleles in certain West African populations. These varying major histocompatibility complex gene frequencies may reflect different regional population structures among AAs in the United States, which may be due to differences in ancestral origins, migration, and racial admixture.     

云南大理白族HLA-DRB1、-DQB1等位基因多态性分析

目的:了解白族人群人类白细胞抗原(Human leukocyte antigen,HLA) Ⅱ类基因-DRB1、-DQB1位点的遗传多态性.方法:采用PCR-SSP方法对124名云南大理洱源白族健康个体进行HLA-DRB1、-DQB1等位基因分型.结果:共检出21种DRB1等位基因,15种DQB1等位基因.其中主要的等位基因有DRB1*1202(26.61%)、DRB1*0901(13.89%)、DRB1*0803(9.92%)、DQB1*0301(31.45%)、DQB1*0601(10.08%)和DQB1*0401(8.06%).主要单倍型包括DRB1*1202-DQB1*0301(20.08%)和DRB1*0803-DQB1*0601(7.19%).结论:大理白族同其他10个民族群体HLA-DRB1、DQB1频率比较和聚类分析显示大理白族属于中国南方人群,但与其他群体存在一定的遗传距离,有着独特的HLA基因特性,对群体遗传及疾病相关性研究具有参考意义.     

DRB1*14 diversity and DRB3 associations in four major population groups in the United States

At least 59 DRB1*14 positive individuals from each of four U.S. population groups, Caucasoids, African Americans, Asians/Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics, were randomly selected from a database of 82,979 individuals. DRB1*14 alleles were identified by DNA sequence analysis using intron-specific primers to obtain complete exon 2 sequences. Only 23% of the known DRB1*14 alleles were detected. DRB1*14011 was the predominant DRB1*14 allele in three populations while Hispanics carried DRB1*1402 and DRB1*1406 more frequently. Asians/Pacific Islanders were the most diversified carrying seven alleles. DRB3*0101, DRB3*02021 and DRB3*0210 were detected in a subset of individuals typed for this locus and 15 DRB1-DRB3 haplotypes were defined. This study completes the exon 2 sequences of previously identified alleles, DRB1*1405-*1408, including the identification of two silent codon 90 variants of DRB1*1407. In addition, two new DRB1*14 alleles, DRB1*1441 and DRB1*1442, are described.     

Sequence-Based analysis of the HLA-DRB1 polymorphism in Metalsa Berber and Chaouya Arabic-speaking groups from Morocco

To examine the genetic diversity in Morocco, the polymorphism at the HLA-DRB1 locus was investigated in two populations: the Metalsa group consisting of Berbers from north Morocco (who speak the Tarifit language and live in the Nador area), and the Chaouya group who are Arabic-speaking people from west Morocco (Atlantic coast) living in the Settat area. The DRB1 alleles of 197 healthy unrelated individuals were identified by direct DNA sequencing of exon 2 using fluorescently-labeled primers. A total of 28 and 29 alleles at DRB1 locus were identified in the Metalsa and Chaouya groups, respectively. The most frequent alleles in the Metalsa group are DRB1*03011 (20.2%), DRB1*0701 (12.12%), and DRB1*1302 (11.11%). In the Chaouya group, DRB1*0701 (16.33%), DRB1*15011 (12.76%), and DRB1*03011 (11.73%) are most common. Each population exhibits some specific variants and some uncommon alleles. The frequency of the DRB1*03011 allele differs significantly between the two populations (p = 0.0311). The DRB1 frequency distributions in the two groups suggest the effects of balancing selection. The interpopulation analysis highlighted a strong relatedness, based on genetic distances, between the two Moroccan groups and the other north Africans (the Moroccans from El Jadida area, Moroccan Souss Berbers, Algerians, and Tunisians), and to a lesser extent with the Iberians, French, and Ethiopians.