Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Pathogen-based models favoring MHC genetic diversity

W K Potts1, P R Slev

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0275, USA.

Immunological Reviews
|February 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Pathogen pressure drives the evolution of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genetic diversity. New models suggest MHC immune recognition may be pathogen-proof, and heterozygote advantage is a key outcome of pathogen evasion.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Experimental manipulation of population-level MHC diversity controls pathogen virulence evolution in Mus musculus.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2017
Same author

Protein pheromone expression levels predict and respond to the formation of social dominance networks.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2015
Same author

Experimental viral evolution reveals major histocompatibility complex polymorphisms as the primary host factors controlling pathogen adaptation and virulence.

Genes and immunity·2013
Same author

Chemical signals and parasite-mediated sexual selection.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2011
Same author

Evolution of diversity at the major histocompatibility complex.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2011
Same author

Experimental infection magnifies inbreeding depression in house mice.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2008

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) plays a crucial role in immune response and exhibits high genetic diversity.
  • Understanding the evolutionary pressures, particularly from pathogens, that shape MHC diversity is critical for immunology and evolutionary biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and organize existing models explaining how pathogens drive MHC genetic diversity.
  • To identify new insights and guide future experimental research on MHC evolution.

Main Methods:

  • A synthetic review of six leading models for MHC genetic diversity evolution.
  • Analysis of model predictions and identification of data gaps.

Main Results:

  • MHC-dependent immune recognition may be highly redundant, potentially making it "escape-proof" from pathogens.
  • Models based on pathogen escape are less effective for diversifying MHC class II genes without considering class II-restricted cytotoxic T-cells.
  • Pathogen evasion inevitably leads to heterozygote advantage, challenging the dichotomy between frequency-dependent selection and heterozygote advantage.

Conclusions:

  • The organization of MHC evolution models provides a framework for future research.
  • MHC immune redundancy and the link between pathogen escape and heterozygote advantage are key findings.
  • The study reframes the debate on balancing selection mechanisms in MHC evolution.

Related Experiment Videos