ARS | Publication request: EFFECT OF RFP-Y GENES ON SKIN GRAFT REJECTION IN LINE N CHICKENS

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 16, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Major histocompatibility complex class I and class II genes in the chicken were recently shown to be inherited in two different haplotype groups, i.e. B and Rfp-Y (Miller et al., PNAS 91:4397-4401, 1994). In this study Mendelian inheritance of three restriction fragment pattern Y (Rfp-Y) haplotypes was demonstrated in chickens of Cornell line N using class I probe pB-FIV-19 and class II probe pB-LbetaII RP2-5. The influenc of Rfp-Y haplotypes on skin rejection was then defined by reciprocal skin grafting between pedigreed chicks. Chicks produced by Rfp-Y heterozygotes mated to Rfp-Y homozygotes rejected 100% of Rfp-Y- incompatible grafts with a median survival time of 17 days compared to 60% rejection of Rfp-Y compatible grafts in 43 days (P <.05). In contrast, control B-incompatible grafts were rejected in only 8 days. Similar results were seen using chicks produced by Rfp-Y heterozygotes mated to Rpf-Y heterozygotes. We conclude that as with the B complex, Rfp-Y haplotype genes also determine histocompatibility antigens. However, the Rfp-Y determined antigens are responsible for a slower graft rejection time.