Background: The neutrophil-specific antigens NA1, NA2, and SH are well-recognized allotypic forms of FcgammaRIIIB. Individuals carrying all three FcgammaRIIIB genes were recently described.
Study design and methods: A Danish population (n = 200) was typed for NA1, NA2, and SH by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). Twelve individuals with three FcgammaRIIIB genes were further genotyped by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism and by DNA sequencing. Family studies were performed on three individuals who carry three FcgammaRIIIB genes.
Results: The gene frequencies for NA1, NA2, and SH were 0.365, 0.635, and 0.030, respectively. In eight individuals (4%), all three FcgammaRIIIB genes were identified. All 12 SH+ individuals were NA1+.
Conclusion: The NA1, NA2, and SH gene frequencies observed in Danes are similar to those in other white populations. The distribution of FcgammaFIIIB genotypes in the Danish population strongly indicates that the NA and the SH systems are located in two closely linked loci and that SH is closely linked to NA1. Finally, a new PCR-SSP was developed to distinguish NA2 from SH.