DNA typing for class II HLA antigens with allele-specific or group-specific amplification. I. Typing for subsets of HLA-DR4.

DNA sequences that distinguish the subsets of HLA-DR4 are also found on several other alleles. This makes typing of heterozygotes with oligonucleotide probes quite impractical. We have therefore developed a procedure in which, in a first step, DNA of the genes to be analyzed is amplified selectively, using group-specific primers. In the case of DR4-DRB1, a primer matching codons 5 to 13 when used in the polymerase chain reaction resulted in products that were entirely suitable for typing for the DR4 subsets. Using appropriate probes, eight distinct subsets were identified. However, only six of them were represented in a normal North American Caucasian panel. In conjunction with a method for rapid DNA extraction, the procedure offers a simple, highly specific and reproducible method for determining subtypes of HLA-DR4 that at present cannot be recognized by serologic methods.