Ronald Goto

A polymorphic system related to but genetically independent of the chicken major histocompatibility complex

Analyses of the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) in chickens have shown inconsistencies between serologically defined haplotypes and haplotypes defined by the restriction fragment patterns of Mhc class I and class II genes in Southern hybridizations. Often more than one pattern of restriction fragments for Mhc class I and/or class II genes has been found among DNA samples collected from birds homozygous for a single serologically defined B haplotype. Such findings have been interpreted as evidence for variability within the Mhc haplotypes of chickens not detected previously with serological methods. In this study of a fully pedigreed family over three generations, the heterogeneity observed in restriction fragment patterns was found to be the result of the presence of a second, independently segregating polymorphic Mhc-like locus, designated Rfp-Y. Three alleles (haplotypes) are identified in this new system.

Genotyping chickens for the B-G subregion of the major histocompatibility complex using restriction fragment length polymorphisms

Chicken B-G-subregion cDNA probes were used to analyze restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of the B-G subregion of the chicken major histocompatibility complex. Genomic DNA from chickens representing 17 of the 27 standard B haplotypes were digested with restriction endonucleases and analyzed in Southern hybridizations with two cDNA clones from the B-G subregion. Each B-G genotype was found to produce a unique pattern of restriction fragments in these Southern hybridizations. With 15 of the 17 genotypes examined, the different genotypes could be readily distinguished in hybridizations produced with DNA digested with a single restriction enzyme, PVU II. The two additional genotypes produced nearly identical patterns in PVU II preparations and with three additional enzymes as well, but were readily distinguishable in Eco RI digestions. For many of the haplotypes, samples from several individuals in different flocks were examined. In every instance, genotyping by RFLP pattern was found to confirm the B-G allele assigned serologically.

Isolation of a cDNA clone from the B-G subregion of the chicken histocompatibility (B) complex

The B-G antigens are highly polymorphic antigens encoded by genes located within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the chicken, the B system. The B-G antigens of the chicken MHC are found only on erythrocytes and correspond to neither MHC class I nor class II antigens. Several clones were selected from a λgt11 erythroid cell expression library by means of rabbit antisera prepared against a purified, denatured B-G antigen. One clone chosen for further study, λbg28, was confirmed as a B-G subregion cDNA clone by the results obtained through using it as a nucleic acid hybridization probe. In Northern hybridizations λbg28 anneals specifically with erythroid cell mRNA. In Southern blot analyses the λbg28 clone could be assigned to the B system-bearing microchromosome of the chicken karyotype on the basis of its hybridization to DNA from birds disomic, trisomic, and tetrasomic for this microchromosome. The cDNA clone was further mapped to the B-G subregion on the basis of its pattern of hybridization with DNA from birds of known B region recombinant haplotypes. Southern blot analyses of the hybridization of λbg28 with genomic DNA from birds of known haplotypes strongly suggest that the B-G antigens are encoded by a highly polymorphic multigene family.

Antigens similar to major histocompatibility complex B-G are expressed in the intestinal epithelium in the chicken

A monoclonal antibody directed against the erythrocytic B-G antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the chicken, an antiserum raised against purified erythrocytic B-G protein, and a cDNA probe from the BeckmanB-G subregion were used to look for evidence of the expression ofB-G genes in tissues other than blood. Evidence has been found in northern hybridizations, in immunoblots, and in immunolabeled cryosections for the presence of B-G-like antigens in the duodenal and caecal epithelia. Additional B-G-like molecules may be expressed in the liver as well. The BG-like molecules in these tissues appear larger and somewhat more heterogeneous than the B-G antigens expressed on erythrocytes. Further characterization of these newly recognized B-G-like molecules may help to define a function for the enigmatic B-G antigens of the MHC. al. 1977; Miller et al. 1982, 1984; Salomonsen et al. 1987; Kline et al. 1988), and in the multiplicity of B-G restriction fragment patterns found in genomic DNA from different haplotypes (Goto et al. 1988; Miller et al. 1988; Chaussé et al. 1989). The B-G antigens have contributed, together with the B-F (class I) and B-L (class II) antigens, to the definition of over 27 B system haplotypes in experimental flocks (Briles et al. 1982). Yet the function of the B-G antigens remains entirely unknown. No mammalian counterparts have been identified, although the possibility remains that there may be similar antigens among the blood group systems of mammals. In an effort to define a function of the B-G antigens, a recently cloned B-G sequence (Miller et al. 1988; Goto et al. 1988) and antibodies to the B-G polypeptides (Miller et al. 1982, 1984) were used to examine other tissues for evidence of B-G expression.

Regions of homology shared by Rfp-Y and major histocompatibility B complex genes

Classical genetic testing of chickens within fully pedigreed families has demonstrated that a portion of the restriction fragments present within Southern hybridizations produced with probes for the chicken major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) class I (B-F) and class II (B-L) genes are contributed by alleles, or more correctly, haplotypes, within a second system of Mhc-like genes. This system, restriction fragment pattern-Y (Rfp-D, assorts independently from the chicken Mhc, the B system (Briles et al. 1993). Recognition of a second system of polymorphic Mhc-like genes presents the intriguing possibility that functioning Mhc genes may be located at two different sites within the genome of the chicken. As yet, little has been established beyond identification of Rfp-Y as a polymorphic multigenic complex containing three and probably more haplotypes (Briles et al. 1993; Miller and co-workers, unpublished data). The hybridizations identifying the Rfp-Y restriction fragments were carried out under stringent conditions, and so the Rfp-Ygenes are, at least over portions of their lengths, highly similar to B class I and class II genes. Subsegments from a B class I gene cDNA clone and from a B class II gene cDNA clone belonging to the B-LBIII family, and in addition an oligonucleotide probe specific for the B-LBIII family of B class II genes, were used to determine the extent of similarity between Rfp-Y and B genes. To prepare subclones, restriction maps of the F10 cDNA clone (Guillemot et al. 1988) representing a transcript from a B-FIVgene (Kroemer et al. 1990) and of a cDNA clone corresponding to a nearly full-length transcript of a B-LBII gene (Guillemot et al. 1988; Zoorob et al. 1990), were examined for restriction endonuclease sites which would allow cleavage of each clone into three subsegments of roughly equal size. DNA samples from members of a family (C084) in which two B and three Rfp-Yhaplotypes are segregating

Biochemical confirmation of recombination within the B-G subregion of the chicken major histocompatibility complex

Analysis of the B-G antigens of eight chicken major histocompatibility complex (B) system recombinant haplotypes by high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis has provided evidence for the transfer of the complete B-G subregion in seven cases. In the eighth, a partial duplication within the B-G subregion appears to have occurred. In this recombinant, the entire array of polypeptides associated with one parental allele, B-G23 is expressed together with nearly the entire array of B-G polypeptides of the other parental haplotype, B2. This compound polypeptide pattern corroborates the serological evidence for a partial duplication within the B-G subregion and provides indirect evidence for the existence of multiple loci within B-G and for a means by which polymorphism may be introduced into the chicken major histocompatibility complex.

Mass spectral data for 64 eluted peptides and structural modeling define peptide binding preferences for class I alleles in two chicken MHC-B haplotypes associated with opposite responses to Marek's disease.

In the chicken, resistance to lymphomas that form following infection with oncogenic strains of Mareks herpesvirus is strongly linked to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-B complex. MHC-B21 haplotype is associated with lower tumor-related mortality compared to other haplotypes including MHC-B13. The single, dominantly expressed class I gene (BF2) is postulated as responsible for the MHC-B haplotype association. We used mass spectrometry to identify peptides and structural modeling to define the peptide binding preferences of BF2*2101 and BF2*1301 proteins. Endogenous peptides (8–12 residues long) were eluted from affinity-purified BF2*2101 and BF2*1301 proteins obtained from transduced cDNA expressed in RP9 cells, hence expressed in the presence of heterologous TAP. Sequences of individual peptides were identified by mass spectrometry. BF2*2101 peptides appear to be tethered at the binding groove margins with longer peptides arching out but selected by preferred residues at positions P3, P5, and P8: X-X-[AVILFP]-X(1–5)-[AVLFWP]-X(2–3)-[VILFM]. BF2*1301 peptides appear selected for residues at P2, P3, P5, and P8: X-[DE]-[AVILFW]-X(1–2)-[DE]-X-X-[ED]-X(0–4). Some longer BF2*1301 peptides likely also arch out, but others are apparently accommodated by repositioning of Arg83 so that peptides extend beyond the last preferred residue at P8. Comparisons of these peptides with earlier peptides derived in the presence of homologous TAP transport revealed the same side chain preferences. Scanning of Mareks and other viral proteins with the BF2*2101 motif identified many matches, as did the control human leukocyte antigen A*0201 motif. The BF2*1301 motif is more restricting suggesting that this allele may confer a selective advantage only in infections with a subset of viral pathogens.

MHC class I target recognition, immunophenotypes and proteomic profiles of natural killer cells within the spleens of day-14 chick embryos.

Chicken natural killer (NK) cells are not well defined, so little is known about the molecular interactions controlling their activity. At day 14 of embryonic development, chick spleens are a rich source of T-cell-free CD8αα(+), CD3(-) cells with natural killing activity. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays revealed complex NK cell discrimination of MHC class I, suggesting the presence of multiple NK cell receptors. Immunophenotyping of freshly isolated and recombinant chicken interleukin-2-stimulated d14E CD8αα(+) CD3(-) splenocytes provided further evidence for population heterogeneity. Complex patterns of expression were found for CD8α, chB6 (Bu-1), CD1-1, CD56 (NCAM), KUL01, CD5, and CD44. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics revealed an array of NK cell proteins, including the NKR2B4 receptor. DAVID and KEGG analyses and additional immunophenotyping revealed NK cell activation pathways and evidence for monocytes within the splenocyte cultures. This study provides an underpinning for further investigation into the specificity and function of NK cells in birds.

Expression, purification and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of the chicken MHC class I molecule YF1*7.1.

YF1*7.1 is an allele of a polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-like locus within the chicken Y gene complex. With the aim of understanding the possible role of the YF1*7.1 molecule in antigen presentation, the complex of YF1*7.1 heavy chain and beta(2)-microglobulin was reconstituted and purified without a peptide. Crystals diffracted synchrotron radiation to 1.32 A resolution and belonged to the monoclinic space group P2(1). The phase problem was solved by molecular replacement. A detailed examination of the structure may provide insight into the type of ligand that could be bound by the YF1*7.1 molecule.