The non-classical class II genes of the chicken, DMA and DMB, are similar to those of mammals, but a second DMB gene (DMB1) is differentially expressed with unusual regulatory and structural features.

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event The non-classical class II genes of the chicken, DMA and DMB, are similar to those of mammals, but a second DMB gene (DMB1) is differentially expressed with unusual regulatory and structural features. Aimee Parker1*, Karen Staines2, Colin Butter2 and Jim Kaufman1, 3 1 University of Cambridge, Department of Pathology, United Kingdom 2 Institute for Animal Health, Avian Viral Immunology, United Kingdom 3 University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Kingdom Although smaller, simpler and rearranged, the chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains most of the core antigen presentation genes found in the mammalian MHC. Strong associations of chicken MHC haplotypes with resistance to pathogens and response to vaccines are attributed to single dominantly- expressed MHC class I (BF) and class II (BL) molecules. The single dominant class I is the result of co-evolution with the closely-linked antigen processing genes TAP and tapasin, but the situation for class II is less clear. To facilitate investigation of whether single dominant class II expression could result from similar co-evolution with associated antigen presentation molecules, we characterised the chicken class II DM region. We show that chickens have three DM genes in their MHC, a single alpha chain gene DMA, and, unusually, two beta chain genes DMB1 and DMB2, of which DMB2 is dominantly-expressed. The chicken DM genes encode proteins with high structural and sequence homology to those described in mammals. However, the two beta chains differ substantially at the amino acid level and several features of DMB1 suggest an unusual function. We find DMB1 and DMB2 differentially expressed in tissues at the RNA and protein level, with DMB1 strongly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells, suggestive of a role in gut immunity. In pursuing the functional properties of the DMs and their interaction with the classical class II molecules, we aim to enhance our understanding of chicken MHC associations with immune responses and, more generally, illuminate mechanisms underlying class II evolution. Keywords: MHC, DM, antigen processing and presentation, Chickens, intestinal immunity, evolution Conference: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Milan, Italy, 22 Aug - 27 Aug, 2013. Presentation Type: Abstract Topic: Adaptive Immunity Citation: Parker A, Staines K, Butter C and Kaufman J (2013). The non-classical class II genes of the chicken, DMA and DMB, are similar to those of mammals, but a second DMB gene (DMB1) is differentially expressed with unusual regulatory and structural features.. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2013.02.01174 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 17 Jul 2013; Published Online: 22 Aug 2013. * Correspondence: Dr. Aimee Parker, University of Cambridge, Department of Pathology, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1QP, United Kingdom, ap509@cam.ac.uk Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Aimee Parker Karen Staines Colin Butter Jim Kaufman Google Aimee Parker Karen Staines Colin Butter Jim Kaufman Google Scholar Aimee Parker Karen Staines Colin Butter Jim Kaufman PubMed Aimee Parker Karen Staines Colin Butter Jim Kaufman Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.