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Molecular genotype identification of the Gallus gallus major histocompatibility complex

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Abstract

The chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is commonly defined by serologic reactions of erythrocytes with antibodies specific to the highly polymorphic MHC class I (BF) and MHC class IV (BG) antigens. The microsatellite marker LEI0258 is known to be physically located within the MHC, between the BG and BF regions. DNA from various serologically defined MHC haplotypes was amplified by polymerase chain reaction with primers surrounding this marker. Twenty-six distinctive allele sizes were identified. Some serologically well-defined MHC haplotypes shared a common LEI0258 allele size but could be distinguished either by the addition of information from another nearby marker (MCW0371) or by small indels or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) differences between the alleles. The association between LEI0258 allele and serologically defined MHC haplotype was very consistent for the same haplotype from multiple sources. Sequence information for the region defined by LEI0258 was obtained for 51 different haplotypes. Two internal repeats whose lengths were 13 and 12 bp, respectively, are the primary basis for allelic variability. Allele size variation ranges from 182 to 552 bp. Four indels and five SNPs in the surrounding sequence provide additional means for distinguishing alleles. Typing with LEI0258 and MCW0371 will be useful in identifying MHC haplotypes in outbred populations of chickens particularly for the initial development of serological reagents.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to the numerous scientists who have maintained these many MHC-defined chicken lines and who willingly provided the material for this study: HD Hunt, Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, East Lansing, MI, USA; MM Miller, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA; WE Briles, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA; KA Schat, Cornell University, Cornell, NY, USA; ME Delany, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA; and SJ Lamont, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. In addition, the assistance of HD Hunt in performing the flow cytometric assay is gratefully acknowledged. The authors are particularly grateful to Dr. Marcia M. Miller for her enthusiasm and encouragement during the early phases of this project and for her thoughtful and constructive comments on an earlier version of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hy-Line International, P.O. Box 310, Dallas Center, IA, 50063, USA

    Janet E. Fulton, Amy M. McCarron, James A. Arthur & Neil P. O’Sullivan

  2. Department of Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, 8830, Tjele, Denmark

    Helle R. Juul-Madsen

  3. Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Christopher M. Ashwell

  4. University of New Hampshire, Kendall Hall, Durham, NH, 03824, USA

    Robert L. Taylor Jr

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  1. Janet E. Fulton
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  2. Helle R. Juul-Madsen
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  3. Christopher M. Ashwell
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  4. Amy M. McCarron
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  5. James A. Arthur
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Correspondence to Janet E. Fulton.

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Dedication: This manuscript is dedicated to W. Elwood and Ruth W. Briles in recognition of more than five decades of research dedicated to the discovery and understanding of avian blood groups. Dr. and Mrs. Briles continue to conduct exceptional research, share their expertise, and inspire scientists to investigate the intricacies of avian immunogenetics.

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Fulton, J.E., Juul-Madsen, H.R., Ashwell, C.M. et al. Molecular genotype identification of the Gallus gallus major histocompatibility complex. Immunogenetics 58, 407–421 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00251-006-0119-0

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