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Differential Expression of Immune Response Genes in Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus): An Indicator of Ecosystem Health?

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Abstract

Characterization of the polygenic and polymorphic features of the Steller sea lion major histocompatibility complex (MHC) provides an ideal window for evaluating immunologic vigor of the population and identifying emergence of new genotypes that reflect ecosystem pressures. MHC genotyping can be used to measure the potential immunologic vigor of a population. However, since ecosystem-induced changes to MHC genotype can be slow to emerge, measurement of differential expression of these genes can potentially provide real-time evidence of immunologic perturbations. MHC DRB genes were cloned and sequenced using peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes derived from 10 Steller sea lions from Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, and the Aleutian Islands. Nine unique DRB gene sequences were represented in each of 10 animals. MHC DRB gene expression was measured in a subset of six sea lions. Although DRB in genomic DNA was identical in all individuals, relative levels of expressed DRB mRNA was highly variable. Selective suppression of MHC DRB genes could be indicative of geographically disparate environmental pressures, thereby serving as an immediate and sensitive indicator of population and ecosystem health.

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acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the constructive suggestions offered by the editor. This research was funded in part by the Alaskan Department of Fish and Game (through NMFS co-operative agreement NA17FX1079) and a UC Davis Faculty Research Grant. Samples were collected under US Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act permits #965 and 358-1564.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Marine Mammal Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Lizabeth Bowen, Brian Aldridge & Jeffrey L. Stott

  2. Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, The University of London, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK

    Brian Aldridge

  3. Division of Wildlife Conservation, Marine Mammals Section, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks, AK

    Kimberlee Beckmen, Lorrie Rea & Ken Pitcher

  4. National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center/NMML, Seattle, WA

    Tom Gelatt

  5. Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services, Eagle River, AK

    Kathy Burek

Authors
  1. Lizabeth Bowen
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  2. Brian Aldridge
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  3. Kimberlee Beckmen
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  4. Tom Gelatt
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  5. Lorrie Rea
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  6. Kathy Burek
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  7. Ken Pitcher
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  8. Jeffrey L. Stott
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Correspondence to Lizabeth Bowen.

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Bowen, L., Aldridge, B., Beckmen, K. et al. Differential Expression of Immune Response Genes in Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus): An Indicator of Ecosystem Health?. EcoHealth 3, 109–113 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-006-0021-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-006-0021-0

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