HLA-DRB1 allele frequencies in a Chaouya population from Settat, Morocco

[The HLA system in the Moroccan population: General review]

The Moroccan population is an interesting study model of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) polymorphism given its ethnic and genetic diversity. Through an analysis of the literature, this work proposes to establish a balance of knowledge for this population in the field of histocompatibility: HLA diversity, anthropology, transplantation and HLA associations and diseases. This analysis shows that the HLA system has not been fully explored within the Moroccan population. However, the results obtained allowed us to initiate a database reflecting the specific healthy Moroccan population HLA polymorphism to identify immigration flows and relationships with different people of the world and to reveal the association of certain HLA alleles with frequent pathologies. We also propose to analyze the reasons hindering the development of this activity in Morocco and we will try to identify some perspectives.

HLA-A, -B, -DR and -DQ allele and haplotype frequencies in the Moroccan population: a general population study

PURPOSE OF STUDY

The aim of this general population study is to extend our knowledge about the HLA-A, -B, -DR and -DQ genes distribution and their diversity among the Moroccan population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and ten unrelated healthy Moroccans from diverse regions of the country were included in the study. HLA typing was done either by serological (standard complement dependent microlymphocytotoxicity) and/or molecular (sequence-specific primer amplification) techniques.

RESULTS

The most frequent alleles observed were: HLA-A2 (19.1%), -A1 (10%), -A3 (10%), -B44 (9.6%), -DR3 (17.1%), -DR4 (15.3%), -DQ2 (30.6%), -DQ6 (26.4%) and -DQ3 (25%). No predominant haplotype was observed for HLA A-B while high frequency was observed for some HLA DR-DQ associations (DR3-DQ2, DR15-DQ6, DR7-DQ2, DR4-DQ3, DR13-DQ6). Comparison with neighbouring populations, on the basis of alleles, haplotypes and genetic distances, showed that Moroccan population is close to the Algerians, the Tunisians, the Spaniards and the French. The haplotype frequencies revealed also relationships with Italians, Sardinians, Basques, Portuguese and Moroccan Jews populations.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm and extend the current knowledge about the Moroccan genetic pattern and reflect all the ethnic diversity of the country. This study will be helpful in the future for clinical analysis like transplantation and HLA-associated diseases in Moroccan population.