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Title: AT LEAST ONE NON-CLASSICAL MHCI MOLECULE IN THE CHICKEN IS ALLOIMMUNOGENIC AND DYNAMICALLY EXPRESSED ON SPLEEN CELLS DURING DEVELOPMENT

Author
item Hunt, Henry
item GOTO, RONALD - CITY OF HOPE
item FOSTER, DOUGLAS - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item Bacon, Larry
item MILLER, MARCIA - CITY OF HOPE

Submitted to: Immunogenetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2005
Publication Date: 3/28/2006
Citation: Hunt, H.D., Goto, R.M., Foster, D.N., Bacon, L.D., Miller, M.M. 2006. At least one YMHCl molecule in the chicken is alloimmunogenic and dynamically expressed on spleen cells during development. Immunogenetics. 58(4):297-307.

Interpretive Summary: Resistance to viral diseases is an important aspect of modern poultry production to ensure a healthy supply of meat and eggs to the consumer. Resistance to diseases induced by viruses varies between different types of chickens with some types being highly susceptible to disease while others are resistant. In this report, we have developed tests to identify traits that are associated with virus disease resistance or susceptibility. Other researchers and industry partners can apply these tests to investigate the selection of these disease resistant traits in experimental and/or commercial chickens.

Technical Abstract: Transcriptionally active, polymorphic MHC class I (MHCI) loci are located in two genetically independent regions in the chicken genome called B and Y. Those encoded in Y have unusual substitutions within the predicted antigen-binding region indicating that it is likely that if they bind antigen they do so in a manner not previously encountered. To determine whether Y MHCI is expressed at the cell surface, we prepared antisera in chickens directed specifically against a Y MHCI allele from Yw*7 haplotype. We found that Y MHCI is alloimmunogenic and well expressed on the surfaces red and white blood cells in the blood and spleen. The YF1w*7.1 MHCI allele is dynamically expressed during development on erythrocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and thrombocytes within the spleen pre- and post-hatching. These data provide direct evidence that Y MHCI polymorphic molecules are expressed at the cell surface in vivo. They support the hypothesis that Y MHCI loci are functionally active.