HLA-DRB1

The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the HLA class II beta chain paralogues. The class II molecule is a heterodimer consisting of an alpha (DRA) and a beta chain (DRB), both anchored in the membrane. It plays a central role in the immune system by presenting peptides derived from extracellular proteins to T helper cells. Class II molecules are constitutively expressed in professional antigen-presenting cells (APC: B lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages),^[5] and could be induced in non-professional APCs.

There is evidence it is associated with reduced severity of COVID-19 disease.^[8]

The beta chain is approximately 26-28 kDa. It is encoded by 6 exons, exon one encodes the leader peptide, exons 2 and 3 encode the two extracellular domains, exon 4 encodes the transmembrane domain and exon 5 encodes the cytoplasmic tail. Within the DR molecule the beta chain contains all the polymorphisms specifying the peptide binding specificities. To date, more than 3,700 HLA-DRB1 alleles have been described and made publicaly available in the IPD-IMGT/HLA Database.^[9] HLA typing for these polymorphisms is routinely done for bone marrow and kidney transplantation.^[5]

DRB1 is expressed at a level five times higher than its paralogues DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5. DRB1 is present in all individuals. Allelic variants of DRB1 are linked with either none or one of the genes DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5. There are 5 related pseudogenes: DRB2, DRB6, DRB7, DRB8 and DRB9.^[5]

Prevalence of the HLA-DRB1*10:01 allele was greatly increased in people with anti-IgLON5 disease.^[10]

• HLA-DR