Lymphocyte alloantigens of the horse. III. ELY-2.1: a lymphocyte alloantigen not coded for by the MHC.
Abstract: A new polymorphic locus of the horse which has several unusual properties is described. The suggested name for the locus is ELY-2. The gene product of one allele at this locus, designated ELY-2.1, has been identified with antisera raised as a result of pregnancy. Antibody to ELY-2.1 was first detected on day 55 after conception in the serum of a mare in first pregnancy. This early onset of antibody is similar to that seen for antibody to ELA antigens, and suggests that the source of the antigenic stimulus may be the tissue of the equine endometrial cups. The antisera identifying ELY-2.1 are cytotoxic and kill all peripheral blood lymphocytes from horses carrying the antigen. ELY-2.1 is a cell surface molecule expressed on lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets. Other cell types have not been investigated. The overall phenotypic frequency of ELY-2.1 in several horse breeds was 16%. The ELY-2.1 antigen is controlled by an autosomal, dominant gene which is not coded by the ELA region (the major histocompatibility complex of the horse), nor is it identical to the ELY-1 locus, which codes for another cell surface alloantigen of equine lymphocytes. Stimulator cells carrying ELY-2.1 did not induce proliferation of ELY-2.1 negative responder cells in mixed cultures of horse lymphocytes. Attempts to raise alloantisera to other alleles of the ELY-2 locus through immunization with lymphocytes were unsuccessful. It is possible that the alternate allele(s) does not code for a gene product which is expressed. The function and biochemical nature of the ELY-2.1 molecule are unknown.
Publication Date: 1984-01-01 PubMed ID: 6497057DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1984.tb01105.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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This scientific study presents and describes a newly identified polymorphic locus in horses, named ELY-2. The focus is on the specific gene product of one allele at this locus, known as ELY-2.1. The observations suggest that this gene product could be linked to equine pregnancy and might have a key immune response role.
Introduction and Methodology
- The researchers discovered a new polymorphic locus (a place on a chromosome where genetic variation is found) in horses and named it ELY-2. They focused on a particular allele – ELY-2.1.
- ELY-2.1 was identified using antisera (the part of the blood that contains antibodies) generated due to pregnancy.
- The team found that antibodies to ELY-2.1 were first noticeable at day 55 after conception in a maiden mare, suggesting that the antigenic stimulus (which triggers an immune response) may originate from the tissue of the equine endometrial cups (part of the horse’s uterus).
Findings and Observations
- The researchers observed that the antisera identifying ELY-2.1 were cytotoxic (cell-killing) and killed all horse peripheral blood lymphocytes (a kind of white blood cell) carrying the antigen.
- ELY-2.1 is a cell surface molecule found on lymphocytes, erythrocytes (red blood cells), and platelets. The presence of ELY-2.1 on other cell types wasn’t explored in this study.
- About 16% of horses from several breeds showed the phenotypic presence of ELY-2.1 (evident in their physical and physiological traits).
Genetic Aspects and Interactions
- A significant finding was that the ELY-2.1 antigen is controlled by a gene that is autosomal (not related to the sex chromosomes) and dominant. This gene is not coded by the ELA region (the horse’s major histocompatibility complex – a set of genes that instruct immune response) and is not identical to the ELY-1 locus (which codes for another cell surface alloantigen).
- Cells carrying ELY-2.1 didn’t prompt proliferation or multiplication of ELY-2.1 negative cells in mixed cultures of horse lymphocytes. This indicates interaction effects between the ELY-2.1 locus and other loci.
Limitations and Unanswered Questions
- The researchers failed to create alloantisera to other alleles of the ELY-2 locus via lymphocyte immunization. It’s possible that alternate alleles don’t code for a gene product that is expressed.
- The function and biochemical nature of the ELY-2.1 molecule are still undefined.
Cite This Article
APA
Antczak DF.
(1984).
Lymphocyte alloantigens of the horse. III. ELY-2.1: a lymphocyte alloantigen not coded for by the MHC.
Anim Blood Groups Biochem Genet, 15(2), 103-115.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.1984.tb01105.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antigens, Surface / genetics
- Crosses, Genetic
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Female
- Genes
- Horses / immunology
- Isoantigens / genetics
- Lymphocytes / immunology
- Male
- Phenotype
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Sex Factors
Grant Funding
- HD-15799 / NICHD NIH HHS
Citations
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