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Title: THE UPS AND DOWNS OF MHC CLASS I EXPRESSION AND MAREK'S DISEASE

Author
item Hunt, Henry

Submitted to: Workshop on Molecular Pathogenesis of Marek's Disease and Avian Immunology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/5/2006
Publication Date: 8/5/2006
Citation: Hunt, H.D. 2006. The ups and downs of MHC class I expression and Marek's disease [abstract]. 4th International Workshop on Molecular Pathogenesis of Marek's Disease Virus. p. 31.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The chicken’s major histocompatibility complex encodes the BF1 and BF2 class I loci. The most abundantly expressed class I glycoprotein eminates from the BF2 (major) locus and presents peptide antigen to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The BF1 (minor) locus produces far less RNA than BF2 and its function is unknown. To compare the functions of these loci we developed antibodies specific to the BF1 and BF2 class I glycoproteinsi. This antibody shows that cells infected with the Marek’s disease virus (MDV) down-regulate the BF2 class I glycoprotein and up-regulate the BF1 class I glycoprotein. The implications of MDVs inverse effect on major and minor class I expression will be discussed.