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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #173580
Title: INTEGRATING GENOMIC AND IMMUNOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO UNDERSTAND MAREK'S DISEASE

Author
item Cheng, Hans
item NIIKURA, MASAHIRO - MICH STATE UNIVERSITY
item KIM, TAEJOONG - MICH STATE UNIVERSITY
item Maclea, Kyle
item Hunt, Henry
item MORGAN, ROBIN - UNIV OF DELAWARE
item BURNSIDE, JOAN - UNIV OF DELAWARE

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/8/2005
Publication Date: 4/8/2005
Citation: Cheng, H.H., Niikura, M., Kim, T., MacLea, K.S., Hunt, H.D., Morgan, R., Burnside, J. 2005. Integrating genomic and immunological approaches to understand Marek's disease [abstract]. Keystone Symposia: Systems and Biology (X4), p. 101.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Marek's disease (MD) is a lymphoproliferative disease caused by an alpha-herpesvirus, the Marek's disease virus (MDV). Besides the approximately $1 billion cost to the poultry industry, MD is a unique model to study a naturally-occurring viral oncogenesis, viral evolution, vaccinal protection to tumor formation, MHC influence on disease incidence and vaccinal efficacy, and complex genetic disease resistance to name just a few. To get a better understanding of MD, we have been integrating various genomic approaches such QTL scans, gene profiling, and host-pathogen protein-protein interaction screens. These efforts have resulted in the identification of 15 QTL that confer MD resistance, the first MD resistance genes (e.g., growth hormone, LY6E, MHC class II beta chain), 9 confirmed MDV-chicken protein-protein interactions, a number of candidate genes, and insights on relevant pathways associated with the immune response or viral pathogenicity. In addition, we have generated and sequenced completely an infectious MDV-BAC clone, which we can use to generate defined recombinant MDVs and query viral gene function. Coupled with characterized inbred chicken lines, the chicken genome sequence, and immunological assays, we believe that a critical mass of tools and reagents is at hand. To emphasize some of these points, we present examples of our multidisciplinary and integrative strategy.We acknowledge funding from the USDA, ARS and USDA, CSREES, NRICGP (awards 2001-52100, 2002-03407, 2003-05414).