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

Abstract 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 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.