Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40488890›Full record

ArticleImmunogenetics2025

HLA diversity and signatures of selection in the Maniq, a nomadic hunter-gatherer population in Southern Thailand.

Helmut Schaschl, Tobias Herzog, Victoria Oberreiter, Wibhu Kutanan, Mattias Jakobsson, Maximilian Larena

Abstract read
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Article in Immunogenetics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Helmut SchaschlDepartment of Evolutionary Anthropology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria. helmut.schaschl@univie.ac.at.
Tobias HerzogDepartment of Evolutionary Anthropology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
Victoria OberreiterDepartment of Evolutionary Anthropology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
Wibhu KutananDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
Mattias JakobssonHuman Evolution, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18 C, 75236, Uppsala, Sweden.
Maximilian LarenaHuman Evolution, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18 C, 75236, Uppsala, Sweden.

Funding

ASEAN-European Academic University Network ASEA 2019/University of Vienna/4, ASEA 2022-2023/University of Vienna/9 and Bernd Rode Award 2022European Commission 873207Global and Frontier Research University Fund, Naresuan University R2566C051
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The Maniq, a small and isolated nomadic hunter-gatherer population from the rainforests of Southern Thailand, offer a unique context for investigating how demographic history, genetic drift, and pathogen-driven selection shape human leucocyte antigen (HLA) diversity. Using high-coverage whole-genome data from 21 individuals (12 unrelated), we genotyped HLA alleles with HLA-HD and T1K, identifying 32 alleles in classical and 14 in non-classical HLA genes. Although overall HLA diversity was comparatively low, a few alleles at each locus occurred at high frequency, mirroring patterns observed in other small, isolated populations. Principal-component analysis clustered the Maniq with other Austroasiatic-speaking Semang hunter-gatherers (Jehai, Kintaq) on the Malay Peninsula and, intriguingly, with the Austronesian-speaking Tao of Taiwan, indicating shared immunogenetic features across linguistic boundaries. Despite reduced diversity, multiple loci bore signatures of both long-term balancing and recent positive selection. Several SNPs under selection were in complete linkage disequilibrium with eQTLs known to influence responses to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and other pathogens, suggesting that pathogen-driven pressure-in particular HBV-may have contributed to recent HLA evolution in the Maniq. These findings provide critical insights into how demographic constraints and pathogen landscapes converge to shape HLA diversity and evolution. In light of increasing infectious disease burdens in indigenous communities, our results underscore the importance of studying small, isolated populations to better understand the adaptive significance of HLA genes.

Indexed as

Genetic VariationHLA AntigensSelection, GeneticAllelesGene FrequencyGenetics, PopulationGenotypeHumansLinkage DisequilibriumMalePolymorphism, Single NucleotideSoutheast Asian PeopleThailandHLA AntigensBalancing selectionHLA diversityHunter-gathererManiq peoplePositive selection

Identifiers

PMID40488890
PMCPMC12148999

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.