Evaluation of MICA and MICB Genes in Individuals of Indian Origin by Next Generation Sequencing

ABSTRACT Major Histocompatibility Complex class I chain‐related genes; MICA and MICB are highly polymorphic genes which can differentially influence disease vulnerability and histocompatibility for transplantation, functionally. Nevertheless, the population specific allelic diversity of this evolutionarily relevant loci remain completely unexplored in Indians. Thus; we evaluated this unknown population specific allelic landscape of MICA and MICB genes at high resolution by next generation sequencing. This preliminary report on 135 healthy individuals of Indian origin suggests high MICA/B diversity in this region. MICA*009:01:04 and MICA*002:01:03 were found common among MICA alleles, while MICB*005 represented most common MICB allelic group. Further, novel MICA/B alleles were also observed in our study. Distribution of MICA/MICB alleles could plausibly be informative for defining histocompatibility and disease vulnerability.