Evaluation of linkage of the human C3b/C4b receptor to HLA

Previous studies have suggested that genes controlling complement receptor expression are linked to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region. To determine whether the locus controlling C3bR polymorphism is linked to the HLA region, we have examined the inheritance of C3bR phenotypes in relationship to HLA. Our results indicate that the gene controlling C3bR phenotype is not closely linked to the HLA region. The implications of these findings are discussed in the view of the previous literature and recent developments in the study of complement receptors.