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Efficient Gene Transfer in Chick Retinas for Primary Cell Culture Studies: An Ex-ovo Electroporation Approach
Published on: November 2, 2015
Cloning and expression of the chicken CD18 cDNA
1Center for Blood Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Researchers isolated and characterized the chicken beta 2 (CD18) subunit, crucial for leukocyte integrin function in the immune response. This chicken protein can form functional hybrid molecules with human LFA-1, binding to ICAM-1 and ICAM-3.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Leukocyte integrins are vital for cellular adhesion during immune responses.
- The beta 2 (CD18) subunit is a common component of leukocyte integrins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize the chicken beta 2 (CD18) subunit.
- To investigate the functional properties of the chicken beta 2 subunit.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and sequencing of the chicken beta 2 subunit.
- Analysis of sequence homology with human and murine homologues.
- Co-expression studies with human LFA-1 alpha subunit.
Main Results:
- The deduced 748-amino-acid sequence shows significant identity to human (65%) and murine (64%) beta 2 homologues.
- Chicken beta 2 can associate with the human LFA-1 alpha subunit on the cell surface.
- The resulting hybrid molecule demonstrates binding capability to purified ICAM-1 and ICAM-3.
Conclusions:
- The chicken beta 2 (CD18) subunit is conserved and functionally similar to its mammalian counterparts.
- This study provides insights into the evolution and function of leukocyte integrins.
- The characterized chicken beta 2 subunit can be a valuable tool for studying integrin-mediated adhesion in avian models.
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