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T and B Cell Receptor Immune Repertoire Analysis using Next-generation Sequencing
Published on: January 12, 2021
Immunoglobulins, antibody repertoire and B cell development
J E Butler1, Y Zhao, M Sinkora
1Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. john-butler@uiowa.edu
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|September 23, 2008
Summary
Swine possess a unique antibody gene organization, including six IgG subclasses, offering insights into mammalian immune evolution. Piglets serve as valuable models for studying adaptive immunity development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Comparative genomics
- Mammalian evolution
Background:
- Swine share fundamental antibody components with other placental mammals, including five antibody isotypes and two light chain types.
- Their immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy and light chain loci organization is largely conserved across mammals.
- Swine exhibit distinct features, such as a single VH family usage (VH3) and a Ckappa:Clambda ratio similar to primates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the swine humoral immune system.
- To detail the organization and evolution of swine antibody genes.
- To highlight the utility of swine as a model for immunological studies.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of antibody gene organization across mammalian species.
- Identification and characterization of swine immunoglobulin (Ig) subclasses.
- Review of existing literature on swine immunology and model applications.
Main Results:
- Swine utilize a single VH family (VH3) for variable heavy chain domain, differing from cattle but similar to rabbits.
- Six putative IgG subclasses have been identified in swine, diversified through gene duplication and exon shuffling.
- These subclasses retain functional motifs for binding FcgammaRs, FcRn, C1q, protein A, and protein G.
Conclusions:
- Swine antibody gene organization presents a unique evolutionary path within mammals.
- The identified IgG subclasses possess conserved functional binding sites.
- Piglets are excellent models for investigating fetal antibody repertoire development and the impact of early-life factors on adaptive immunity.
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