Genotype and allele frequency of human neutrophil antigens in Acheh, Kedah, Mandailing, Minangkabu and Pattani Malays

Human neutrophil antigens (HNAs) have been reported to involve in pathogenesis of clinical conditions such as neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAN) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), thus knowledge on local distribution of HNA alleles play significant roles in disease studies. The present study involves polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using sequence specific primer (SSP) typing of HNA-1, -3, -4 and -5 loci in 194 high molecular weight genomic DNA samples extracted from blood samples of Acheh (n=35), Kedah (n=30), Mandailing (n=47), Minangkabau (n=47) and Pattani (n=35) Malay individuals with the target of obtaining data for population review along with HNA incompatibility risk investigation. In general, datasets obtained in this study shows HNA-1a/1a, - 3a/3a, -4a/4a and -5a/5a were the most frequent genotypes observed in the Malay sub-ethnic groups. However, HNA-1a/1b was recorded as the most frequent genotype for HNA-1 system in Kedah, Mandailing and Pattani Malays while HNA- 5a/5b was logged as the most common HNA-5 genotype in Acheh and Pattani Malays. The HNA population datasets collected in the present survey are similar to those from the earlier study on Malay sub-ethnic groups (Kelantan, Banjar, Jawa, Banjar and Bugis Malays), yet, significant differences were observed between Malay sub-ethnic groups and HNA datasets reported for Orang Asli Semang (Bateq, Kensiu and Lanoh) and Senoi (Che Wong and Semai). This observation reflects the uniquegene pools of different population groups in Peninsular Malaysia, which largely associated with their different origins. Statistical analyses on the HNA datasets also showed a low risk of HNA-related transfusion and gestation alloimmunizations for HNA-1c, -3a, -4a and -4b and these risk assessments applied to any pairs of mother/father and donor/patient population groups. However, probability of alloimmunization for other HNAs (e.g. HNA-1a, -1b, -5a and -5b) is high even for couples or donor and recipient of similar ethnic background. In conclusion, the present study has successfully genotyped four HNA systems in five Malay sub-ethnic groups and these HNA datasets provide valuable source of information for studying population history and health in Peninsular Malaysia