HLA-DRα, -DXα, and DRβIII gene association studies in DR3 individuals

Abstract In this study we have examined the results of probing with synthetic oligomers at the DRβIII locus, together with restriction fragment length polymorphisms defined by BglII digestion and a cDNA DRα probe, and Taq 1 digestion and a genomic DQα probe. We have demonstrated heterogeneity of the human leukocyte antigen DR3 and close association of the DRα, DRβIII, and DXα genes. Two DR3-related preferential allelic associations have been identified, which may prove useful in family analysis as well as for investigations of DR3-related diseases.