Microsatellite variation in the equine MHC.
Abstract: Genes within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encode proteins involved in innate and adaptive immune responses. Genetic variation in this region can influence the immune response of an individual animal to challenges from a variety of pathogens; however, a complete documentation of genetic variation in the MHC is lacking for most domestic animals, including horses. To provide additional genetic markers for study of the horse MHC, or ELA (equine lymphocyte antigen), we identified 37 polymorphic microsatellite repeats in ELA and used these variations separately and together with published SNPs to investigate linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype structure in a sample of Thoroughbred horses. ELA SNPs alone detected little LD, but microsatellites, either separately or combined with SNPs, revealed substantially more LD. A subset of markers in very high LD across the breadth of ELA may be predictive of structural polymorphisms or linked epistases that are important drivers of haplotype structure in Thoroughbreds.
Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Publication Date: 2012-10-11 PubMed ID: 23051181DOI: 10.1111/age.12003Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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This research investigates genetic variation in horses’ major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a group of genes that plays a critical role in the immune system. Using a breed of horses known as Thoroughbreds, the study identified polymorphic microsatellite repeats in these genes and explored their relationship with the immune response.
Understanding the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
- The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is an important group of genes that encode proteins that play a vital role in both innate and adaptive immune responses.
- Genetic variations in the MHC can shape how an individual animal responds to various pathogens, meaning it can influence the strength and effectiveness of their immune system. However, for most domestic animals, including horses, there’s a lack of full documentation of this genetic variability within the MHC region.
Microsatellite Variation in Equine MHC
- In this study, the researchers aimed to address the lack of information for horses by providing additional genetic markers for studying the horse MHC, referred to as ELA (equine lymphocyte antigen).
- The team managed to identify 37 polymorphic microsatellite repeats in the ELA. Polymorphic microsatellites represent repeated sequences of DNA that vary in number but can serve as reliable markers for investigating genetic diversity and structure.
- Using these new markers, the study investigated linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype structure in a sample of Thoroughbred horses. Linkage disequilibrium refers to the non-random association of alleles at different loci in a given population, while haplotype refers to a group of genes within an organism that was inherited together from a single parent.
Findings from the Research
- The findings revealed that when looking at ELA SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) alone, very little linkage disequilibrium was detected. However, considerably more LD was found when using the microsatellites either on their own or combined with SNPs.
- A group of markers that showed very high LD across the entire range of the ELA could be predictive of structural polymorphisms or linked associations (epistases) that significantly affect the haplotype structure in Thoroughbred horses.
Implications and Relevance of the Study
- This study is of significance as it provides more genetic markers for studying the equine MHC, offering more comprehensive insight into the genetic variations that impact a horse’s immune response.
- The techniques and findings from this research could be used to better understand genetic variation within the MHC for other domestic animals and potentially improve their disease resistance and overall health.
Cite This Article
APA
Brinkmeyer-Langford CL, Cai JJ, Gill CA, Skow LC.
(2012).
Microsatellite variation in the equine MHC.
Anim Genet, 44(3), 267-275.
https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA. cbrinkmeyer@cvm.tamu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Genetic Markers
- Haplotypes
- Horses / genetics
- Linkage Disequilibrium
- Major Histocompatibility Complex / genetics
- Microsatellite Repeats
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Vostry L, Vostra-Vydrova H, Citek J, Gorjanc G, Curik I. Association of inbreeding and regional equine leucocyte antigen homozygosity with the prevalence of insect bite hypersensitivity in Old Kladruber horse. Anim Genet 2021 Aug;52(4):422-430.
- Jaworska J, Tobolski D, Janowski T. Is similarity in Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) associated with the incidence of retained fetal membranes in draft mares? A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2020;15(8):e0237765.
- Barrachina L, Cequier A, Romero A, Vitoria A, Zaragoza P, Vázquez FJ, Rodellar C. Allo-antibody production after intraarticular administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in an equine osteoarthritis model: effect of repeated administration, MSC inflammatory stimulation, and equine leukocyte antigen (ELA) compatibility. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020 Feb 7;11(1):52.
- Jaworska J, Ropka-Molik K, Wocławek-Potocka I, Siemieniuch M. Inter- and intrabreed diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in primitive and draft horse breeds. PLoS One 2020;15(2):e0228658.
- Sadeghi R, Moradi-Shahrbabak M, Miraei Ashtiani SR, Miller DC, Antczak DF. MHC haplotype diversity in Persian Arabian horses determined using polymorphic microsatellites. Immunogenetics 2018 May;70(5):305-315.
- Yakubu A, Salako AE, De Donato M, Peters SO, Takeet MI, Wheto M, Okpeku M, Imumorin IG. Association of SNP variants of MHC Class II DRB gene with thermo-physiological traits in tropical goats. Trop Anim Health Prod 2017 Feb;49(2):323-336.
- Miller D, Tallmadge RL, Binns M, Zhu B, Mohamoud YA, Ahmed A, Brooks SA, Antczak DF. Polymorphism at expressed DQ and DR loci in five common equine MHC haplotypes. Immunogenetics 2017 Mar;69(3):145-156.
- Pezzanite LM, Fortier LA, Antczak DF, Cassano JM, Brosnahan MM, Miller D, Schnabel LV. Equine allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells elicit antibody responses in vivo. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015 Apr 12;6(1):54.
- Vychodilova L, Plasil M, Futas J, Kopecka A, Molinkova D, Wijacki T, Jahn P, Knoll A, Horin P. Genetic susceptibility to sarcoid in Arabian horses: associations with MHC class II and compound MHC class I/KLRA genotypes. Vet Res Commun 2025 May 1;49(3):184.
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