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Molecular biology reports2012; 40(4); 3333-3340; doi: 10.1007/s11033-012-2408-z

Major histocompatibility complex and other allergy-related candidate genes associated with insect bite hypersensitivity in Icelandic horses.

Abstract: Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an allergic dermatitis of horses caused by bites of insects. IBH is a multifactorial disease with contribution of genetic and environmental factors. Candidate gene association analysis of IBH was performed in a group of 89 Icelandic horses all born in Iceland and imported to Europe. Horses were classified in IBH-affected and non-affected based on clinical signs and history of recurrent dermatitis, and on the results of an in vitro sulfidoleukotriene (sLT)-release assay with Culicoides nubeculosus and Simulium vittatum extract. Different genetic markers were tested for association with IBH by the Fisher's exact test. The effect of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene region was studied by genotyping five microsatellites spanning the MHC region (COR112, COR113, COR114, UM011 and UMN-JH34-2), and exon 2 polymorphisms of the class II Eqca-DRA gene. Associations with Eqca-DRA and COR113 were identified (p < 0.05). In addition, a panel of 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 17 candidate allergy-related genes was tested. During the initial screen, no marker from the panel was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with IBH. Five SNPs associated with IBH at p < 0.10 were therefore used for analysis of combined genotypes. Out of them, SNPs located in the genes coding for the CD14 receptor (CD14), interleukin 23 receptor (IL23R), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFB3) molecules were associated with IBH as parts of complex genotypes. These results are supported by similar associations and by expression data from different horse populations and from human studies.
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Publication Date: 2012-12-30 PubMed ID: 23275235DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-2408-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study explores the genetic factors associated with Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH), an allergic dermatitis condition caused by insect bites in Icelandic horses. Notably, the researchers identified associations with Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) gene region and other genes involved in allergic responses.

Understanding IBH and Genetic Factors

  • Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH) is a kind of allergic dermatitis common in horses, triggered by insect bites. This complex condition is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The study concentrated on identifying potential associations with candidate genes.
  • The research involved 89 Icelandic horses, all of which were born in Iceland and then moved to Europe. The horses were categorized as IBH-affected and non-affected based on clinical signs and history of recurrent dermatitis, alongside an in vitro sulfidoleukotriene (sLT)-release assay with extracts of the insects Culicoides nubeculosus and Simulium vittatum.
  • Genetic markers were tested for their potential association with IBH using Fisher’s exact test, a statistical methodology used for analyzing categorical data.

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and Other Allergy-Related Genes

  • The study paid special attention to the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) gene region, as this part of the genome has a vital role in the immune system. Specifically, five microsatellites spanning the MHC region and exon 2 polymorphisms of the class II Eqca-DRA gene were genotyped.
  • The research revealed associations with the Eqca-DRA and COR113 genes, both of which fall within or close to the MHC region and have known functions in immune responses.
  • Additionally, a panel of 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are common variations in the DNA sequence, located in 17 candidate allergy-related genes were tested. Although no marker from this panel was significantly associated with IBH in the first round of testing, further analysis of combined genotypes identified several SNPs associated with this condition.

Complex Genotypes and Allergies

  • The SNPs identified as associated with IBH were located in genes coding for the CD14 receptor, the interleukin 23 receptor, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and the transforming growth factor-beta 3 molecules—genes which play prominent roles in immune and inflammatory responses.
  • These gene associations were found to exist as part of complex genotypes, suggesting that interactions between multiple genes influence the susceptibility to IBH.
  • Evidence from other horse populations and human studies bolster these findings, highlighting the role that multiple genes and their interactions play in developing allergic conditions like IBH.

Cite This Article

APA
Klumplerova M, Vychodilova L, Bobrova O, Cvanova M, Futas J, Janova E, Vyskocil M, Vrtkova I, Putnova L, Dusek L, Marti E, Horin P. (2012). Major histocompatibility complex and other allergy-related candidate genes associated with insect bite hypersensitivity in Icelandic horses. Mol Biol Rep, 40(4), 3333-3340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-012-2408-z

Publication

Molecular biology reports
ISSN: 1573-4978
NlmUniqueID: 0403234
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 40
Issue: 4
Pages: 3333-3340

Researcher Affiliations

Klumplerova, Marie
  • Institute of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackeho tr. 1/3, 61242 Brno, Czech Republic.
Vychodilova, Leona
    Bobrova, Olga
      Cvanova, Michaela
        Futas, Jan
          Janova, Eva
            Vyskocil, Mirko
              Vrtkova, Irena
                Putnova, Lenka
                  Dusek, Ladislav
                    Marti, Eliane
                      Horin, Petr

                        MeSH Terms

                        • Animals
                        • Ceratopogonidae / immunology
                        • Ceratopogonidae / pathogenicity
                        • Dermatitis / genetics
                        • Dermatitis / veterinary
                        • Horses / genetics
                        • Horses / immunology
                        • Hypersensitivity / genetics
                        • Hypersensitivity / immunology
                        • Hypersensitivity / veterinary
                        • Iceland
                        • Insect Bites and Stings / genetics
                        • Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
                        • Major Histocompatibility Complex / genetics
                        • Simuliidae / immunology
                        • Simuliidae / pathogenicity

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