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Characterization of Bison bison major histocompatibility complex class IIa haplotypes
Donald L Traul1, Bharat Bhushan, Jennifer A Eldridge
1Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Washington State University, Pullman, 99164-6630, USA.
Immunogenetics
|December 7, 2005
Summary
Researchers characterized major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes in American bison to understand their susceptibility to malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). They identified novel MHC class II haplotypes, revealing close genetic links to cattle and providing a basis for future disease resistance studies.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Comparative genomics
- Veterinary immunology
Background:
- American bison and domestic cattle share a common ancestor but exhibit differing disease susceptibilities, notably to malignant catarrhal fever (MCF).
- Bison are highly susceptible to MCF caused by ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), despite a significant percentage carrying antibodies for the virus.
- Understanding genetic factors, specifically major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene polymorphism, may explain differential MCF resistance in bison.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene haplotypes in American bison (Bison bison).
- To lay the groundwork for investigating the role of MHC class II gene polymorphism in bison resistance to malignant catarrhal fever (MCF).
Main Methods:
- Utilized PCR-based cloning and sequencing to identify DRB3, DQA, and DQB alleles in 14 American bison.
- Analyzed and compared identified bison MHC class II sequences with known cattle sequences.
Main Results:
- Identified twelve distinct MHC class II haplotypes in the studied bison population.
- Characterized six new Bibi-DRB3 alleles alongside six previously reported ones, plus 11 Bibi-DQA and 10 Bibi-DQB alleles.
- Found that bison MHC class II alleles are closely related to cattle orthologs, differing by only a few amino acids on average.
Conclusions:
- Established a foundational understanding of bison MHC class II genetic diversity.
- Demonstrated significant evolutionary relatedness between bison and cattle MHC class II genes.
- Provided essential genetic data for future research into bison immunity and MCF resistance mechanisms.