Abstract
Beagles are commonly used in vaccine trials as part of the regulatory approval process. Genetic restriction within this breed and the impact this might have on vaccine responses are rarely considered. This study was designed to characterise diversity of dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II genes in a breeding colony of laboratory Beagles, whose offspring are used in vaccine studies. DLA haplotypes were determined by PCR and sequence-based typing from genomic DNA extracted from blood. Breeding colony Beagles had significantly different DLA haplotype frequencies in comparison with pet Beagles and both groups showed limited DLA diversity. Restricted DLA class II genetic variability within Beagles might result in selective antigen presentation and vaccine responses that are not necessarily representative of those seen in other dog breeds.
Highlights
Beagles are commonly used in vaccine trials as part of the regulatory approval process
Dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II genes encode major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules that are involved in antigen presentation to CD4+ T cells
The aim of the present study was to characterise dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) haplotypes in laboratory Beagle dogs and to compare their DLA diversity with a pet Beagle population
Summary
Beagles are commonly used in vaccine trials as part of the regulatory approval process. Dog breeds, including the Beagle, have been derived from at least two genetic bottlenecks (Lindblad-Toh et al, 2005), which might affect their immunogenetic diversity and vaccine responses. The aim of the present study was to characterise DLA haplotypes in laboratory Beagle dogs and to compare their DLA diversity with a pet Beagle population.
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