Molecular cloning of two new HLA-C alleles: Cw*1801 and Cw*0706.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the HLA-C alleles of the GB92 cell line, heterozygous for B8101 and B4407, revealed the existence of two new allelic variants: Cw1801 and Cw0706. The former allele, initially detected as a PCR-SSP variant, displays a hybrid aspect, sharing sequence motifs with Cw07 at exons 1 and 2, and with Cw04 at distal exons. In serological assays, Cw1801 is only recognized by some cross-reactive sera. Cw0706 shows a primary structure closely related to previously known Cw7 alleles, but carries new sequence motifs at its 3'-end. Preliminary data indicate that Cw1801 is associated to B8101 and that Cw0706, B4407 could account for a part of the Cw7, B44 haplotypes observed in African populations.