• Identification of HLA-DQ2 & HLA-DQ8 Heterodimer Frequencies in People with Celiac Disease Or Suspected Symptoms
  • Shiva Khalili,1,* Behzad Poopak,2
    1. Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch
    2. Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch


  • Introduction: Celiac disease is an Enteropathy, related to the immune system, which is defined as the permanent sensitivity to Gliadin, wheat or other Prolamins, available in barley, in people with genetic susceptibility. The main component of genetic predisposition lies in the HLA area on chromosome number Six. Celiac disease it has a considerable amount of companionship with HLA class II genes and particularly DQ2 and DQ8 heterodimers. In the present study, DQ2 and DQ8 heterodimers are examined in a small community of Iranian individuals with the celiac susceptibility symptoms.
  • Methods: DNA extracted from 50 peripheral blood samples were evaluated for HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 heterodimer frequencies using qualitative PCR and reverse dot-blot hybridization.
  • Results: The frequencies were 42% for HLA-DQ2, 6% for HLA-DQ2 and DR4, 18% for HLA-DQ8 and DR4, and finally, 4% for HLA-DQ2, DQ8 and DR4. Results showed generally, the frequency of DQ2 genotype (>50%) is higher than that of DQ8 genotype (20-30%). In this evaluation, no significant relationship was found between the age and gender parameters with celiac. The results of serology tests were in contrast with that of European countries. However, the outcomes achieved from the evaluation of relationship between symptoms and autoimmune diseases were similar to those from European countries.
  • Conclusion: The difference in DQ8 frequency, observed in Iranian population, with that of European countries could show an association between the genotype frequencies and races population. According to the obtained results, celiac has a significant spread in Iran. Therefore, its prevention and treatment require more attention and new health care policy making.
  • Keywords: Celiac, HLA-DQ2, HLA-DQ8, qualitative polymerase chain reaction, reverse dot-blot hybridization