HLA-A68

HLA-A68 (A68) is a human leukocyte antigen serotype within HLA-A serotype group. The serotype is determined by the antibody recognition of α⁶⁸ subset of HLA-A α-chains. For A68, the alpha "A" chain are encoded by the HLA-A*68 allele group and the β-chain are encoded by B2M locus. A68 and A*68 are almost synonymous in meaning. A68 is a split antigen of the broad antigen serotype A28. A68 is a sister serotype of A69.

A68 is more common in North America.

Serotype

A68 is poor, with low specific detection, high non-specific identification by A28.

Disease Associations

By allele

A*68 is associated with higher viral load in HIV. A68 may be protective against symptomatic heart disease in Chaga's cardiomyopathy.

Allele freqeuncies

A68 can be subdivided into 3 alleles, *6801, *6802, *6803. *6801 can also be subdivided into *680101 and *680102 (previously called *68011 and *68012).

A*6801

A*6801 is higher in certain Native American groups, South Asian peoples, African peoples, however *6801 is at low levels in most of SE Asia, particularly the indigeonous populations. This is also reflected by low levels along the West Pacific Rim including Japan. The hiatus of *6801 breaks in Northern Japan with the 3% frequency found in the Ainu, which continues to increase with Arctic peoples and falls of in Native Americans. Whereas in the Western Eurasia's northern regions, A*6801 falls off. In both Africa and the New World both A*680101 and A*680102 can be found. Although in the New World A*680102 is more prevalent.