Biochemical and serological identification of major histocompatibility complex antigens in outbred chickens

Serology and biochemistry were used to identify major histocompatibility complex (MHC) types in chicken lines selected for high and low antibody response to sheep red blood cells. Serological typing was performed by direct haemagglutination, using antisera obtained by erythrocyte alloimmunization within the lines. Four serotypes were identified, called preliminarily B114, B119, B121 and B124. Subsequently, these types were characterized for their B-G and B-F products by biochemical analysis, using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and one-dimensional IEF (isoelectric focusing) respectively. The B114, B119 and B121 serotypes displayed each characteristic banding patterns for both B-G and B-F. No additional types or subtypes were identified by biochemistry within these serotypes. The B124 serotype however could be subtyped into three different haplotypes with specific banding patterns for B-G and B-F. None of the haplotypes in the selection lines were identical for both B-G and B-F with the tested reference B haplotypes. Comparison of B-G alleles revealed similar, but not identical B-G patterns for B114 and B-G14, whereas B124C and B-G23, as well as B119 and B-G19 displayed indistinguishable patterns. For B-F, only B121 and B-F21 banding patterns were indistinguishable by IEF. All other B-F types differed from the reference types.