Global distribution of malaria-resistant MHC-HLA alleles: the number and frequencies of alleles and malaria risk.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is the most polymorphic genetic region in vertebrates, but the origin of such genetic diversity remains unresolved. Several studies have demonstrated at the within-population level that individuals harbouring particular alleles can be less or more susceptible to malaria, but these do not allow strong generalization.

Methods

Here worldwide data on the frequencies of several hundred MHC alleles of the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) system in relation to malaria risk at the between-population level were analysed in a phylogenetic framework, and results for different alleles were quantitatively summarized in a meta-analysis.

Results

There was an overall positive relationship between malaria pressure and the frequency of

SUBMITTER: Garamszegi LZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4162943 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature