MHC Panel Set

Two approaches are commonly used for association mapping genetic regions of interest. One utilizes interrogation of evenly-spaced SNPs, an approach addressed by the MHC Mapping Panel with emphasis on tag SNPs, a second focuses on SNPs near and within coding exons, addressed by the MHC Exon-Centric Panel.

Illumina's Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Panel Set is a combination of these two panels. Combined they can be used for investigation of a more comprehensive mapping of disease-associated variants in the MHC region.

The MHC region is proposed to contain genomic sequences that contribute to the majority of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Type-1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Exploration of this region can provide information to determine the gene associations that lead to disease susceptibility.

The MHC region is one of the most difficult areas of the genome to study due to its inherent sequence characteristics. Located on the short (p) arm of chromosome 6, this gene-dense region spans ~4 Mb and encodes over 160 genes. Approximately 40% of these genes encode proteins involved in the immune system, including the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) membrane glycoproteins that mediate T-lymphocyte signaling. However, it is likely that many disease-associated genetic variants may reside outside of these HLA genes and the MHC Panel Set can also interrogate these complex genomic areas.

• The MHC Panel Set is used to assay 2,360 SNPs using Illumina's GoldenGate Genotyping Assay