Global diversity mapping of HLA and KIR genes in anonymous human DNA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Population global distribution mapping of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA), KIller-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs) and Killer Cell Lectin-like Receptors (KLRs) in anonymous human DNA specimens.
IRAS ID
183484
Contact name
Chrissy h. Roberts
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The human immune response is regulated by a number of highly variable gene systems including those that encode proteins on immune cells whose role is to carry out the tasks of immune recognition (i.e. the discrimination of self, non-self and missing or altered self). We are primarily interested in three of these gene systems; the Human Leucocyte Antigens (HLA), the Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) and the Killer-cell Lectin-like Receptors (KLRs). Between-individual and between-population differences in the nature and prevalence of these genes is associated with many health outcomes and can contribute to altered outcomes of infectious and auto-immune diseases, organ, tissue and stem-cell transplantation and pregnancy and childbirth. Very little is known about diversity in the HLA, KIR and KLR systems outside of European and Northern American populations and until recently, it has been very difficult to characterise these genes in a high-resolution manner. Emerging DNA sequencing methods have recently addressed this issue and it is now possible to obtain very detailed information from a simple specimen of human DNA.
Researchers at LSHTM work in more than 100 countries worldwide and many have archival stocks of human DNA in London. In this study, we propose to “raid the archive” and to build a panel of anonymous human DNA samples (100 specimens per sample) representing a plurality of world populations. These specimens will be subjected to high resolution typing for HLA, KIR, KLR and similar genes. The data will primarily contribute to studies of evolutionary and population genetics and to add to a pre-existing knowledgebase (http://www.allelefrequencies.net/) of information about diversity in these systems. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the 17th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshop (http://ihiws.org/). No identifying patient information will be required and all samples will be fully anonymised by donors of material.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0273
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion