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Serum haemolytic complement activities in 11 different MHC (B) typed chicken lines
Henk K Parmentier1, Rudy Baelmans, Huub F J Savelkoul
1Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands. henk.parmentier@wur.nl
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
|June 9, 2004
Summary
Chicken MHC (B) complex haplotypes B2 and B21 are linked to higher complement activity and disease resistance. Haplotype B15 is associated with lower complement levels and increased disease susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Poultry Science
- Complement System Biology
Background:
- The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) in chickens, known as the B complex, plays a crucial role in immune responses.
- Serum complement levels, involving both classical (CPW) and alternative (APW) pathways, are key indicators of immune function.
- Divergent selection for antibody responses to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in chicken lines provides a model to study immune-related genetic associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between specific chicken MHC (B) complex haplotypes and serum complement haemolytic activity.
- To determine if different B haplotypes are associated with variations in both classical and alternative complement pathway activities.
- To explore the potential link between MHC (B) haplotypes, complement levels, and disease resistance/susceptibility in chickens.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of complement haemolytic activity (CPW and APW) in sera from multiple pure-bred and selected chicken lines.
- Genotyping of chicken lines for specific MHC (B) haplotypes.
- Statistical analysis to compare complement activities across different B-typed lines and selection histories.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in serum haemolytic complement activities (CPW and APW) were observed among the 11 haplotyped chicken lines.
- High CPW and APW titres were predominantly associated with the B2 and B21 haplotypes.
- Low CPW and APW titres were found in chickens with B14 and B15 haplotypes, with B15 linked to disease susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Chicken MHC (B) complex haplotypes significantly influence serum complement levels via both classical and alternative pathways.
- The B2 and B21 haplotypes are associated with enhanced immunocompetence, potentially contributing to disease resistance.
- Complement haemolytic activity levels may be a genetic component underlying the immune functions attributed to the chicken MHC (B) complex.