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Major histocompatibility complex recombinant R13 antibody response against bovine red blood cells
N G Wilkinson1, R T Kopulos2, L M Yates2
1Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA.
Poultry Science
|September 29, 2020
Summary
Recombination in chicken MHC genes created a new R13 genotype. R13R13 chickens showed significantly lower antibody production against bovine red blood cells, indicating a potential impact on immune response genes.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Avian immunology
- Molecular genetics
Background:
- The chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a crucial role in immune responses.
- Recombination within the MHC allows for precise identification of immune-response genes.
- Congenic chicken lines are valuable tools for studying genetic influences on immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a newly identified recombinant chicken MHC genotype (R13).
- To evaluate the impact of the R13 genotype on antibody production against a T cell-dependent antigen.
- To investigate the relationship between MHC recombination and immune response variation in chickens.
Main Methods:
- Development of congenic chicken lines through backcrossing.
- Genotyping of recombinant (R13) and non-recombinant (B17) individuals.
- Immunization with bovine red blood cells to assess primary and secondary antibody responses.
- Quantification of serum total and mercaptoethanol-resistant antibodies using microtiter assays.
- Statistical analysis using least squares ANOVA and Fisher's protected least significant difference.
Main Results:
- The R13 genotype was identified and established in congenic lines.
- R13R13 chickens exhibited significantly lower primary antibody titers compared to R13B17 and B17B17 genotypes.
- Secondary antibody responses were also lower in R13R13 homozygotes than in R13B17 heterozygotes.
- The interval between primary and secondary immunization may have led to a diminished memory response.
Conclusions:
- Recombination within the chicken MHC has generated novel genotypes (R13) with altered immune response capabilities.
- The R13R13 genotype is associated with a reduced capacity for antibody production.
- These findings suggest that the specific genomic region affected by recombination in R13 influences antibody response levels.
