[Distribution of HLA class I antigen in Finno-Ugrian populations of Russia (Mordovians and Maris)].

Distributions and gametic associations of HLA I antigens were studied in two Finno-Ugrian populations of Russia: Mordovians (300 subjects, including 148 Erzyas and 152 Mokshas) and Maris (137 subjects). Regarding the Mordovian population, Erzya and Moksh subpopulations significantly differed from each other only in the frequency of the A9 antigen. However, the Mari and Mordovian populations differed from each other considerably. Maris exhibited higher frequencies of antigens A9, B27, and B40 and lower frequencies of B5, B8, and B16 compared to Erzyas, as well as higher frequencies of A3, A28, B27, and B40 and lower frequencies of A10, B5, B8, B16, and B18 compared to Moksha. In addition, Erzyas, Mokshas, and Maris differed from one another in the gametic associations revealed. In general, our data indicated that the three populations, which display characteristic features of both Caucasoid and Mongoloid races, differ from one another with respect to the HLA genetic polymorphism. In all of the three populations, a positive association of the B27 antigen with spondylarthropathies (SAPs) was revealed. This confirms the hypothesis that B27 is involved in the pathogenesis of some rheumatoid diseases.