HLA class I and class II alleles and haplotypes of Algerian population from Algiers and neighbouring area.

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to investigate the current genetic diversity and provide additional insights into the origins of the Algerian population by analyzing the frequencies of HLA -A,-B,-DRB1,-DQB1 alleles and associated haplotypes. We analyzed 1,082 unrelated healthy Algerian individuals, who were potential kidney donors, recruited and assessed in the Immunology Department of CHU Mustapha in Algiers over a 10-year period (2009-2019). HLA genotyping was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction Sequence Specific Primers (PCR-SSP). The allelic typing estimate and haplotype frequencies were calculated using the R studio® software and Haplotype frequency estimation from the website https://hla-net.eu/. We identified a total of 20 HLA-A alleles, 31 HLA-B alleles, 13 HLA-DRB1 alleles and5 HLA-DQB1 alleles. Regarding the allele frequency, the haplotype frequency and the distribution with other population database, we were able to provide a description of Algerian genetic background and draw some anthropogenetic conclusions. This study of HLA polymorphism in the Algerian population shows a strong genetic similarity with the populations of southern Europe and North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia and Libya) with which it has shared a common history since antiquity. In addition to its contribution to anthropogenetics, our study, serve as a reference database for studies exploring associations between the HLA system and certain pathologies.