A comparison of lymphocyte antigen specificities in Norwegian and Swiss goats

In all, 363 alloantireagents were tested in Berne, Switzerland and in Oslo, Norway against lymphocytes from 1679 goats of different breeds. The same lymphocytotoxicity test was used at both laboratories. The test data were pooled, and correlation coefficients for pairs of sera were used to group the sera in clusters. Twelve clusters were accepted as defining lymphocyte antigen specificities believed to be coded by genes within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The specificities defined by these clusters were designated Eu1-Eu12. Two clusters defined specificities which were not coded from loci within the MHC. These were designated GLY-1.1 and GLY-2.1, and the loci GLY-1 and GLY-2, respectively. GLY-1.1 was also located on erythrocytes.     

Lymphocyte antigens in Norwegian goats: serological and genetic studies

Altogether, 292 goat alloantisera were screened for antilymphocyte reactivity in a two-step dye exclusion microcytotoxicity test. Fifteen different lymphocyte antigen specificities were characterized by cluster analysis and absorption studies. The specificities were designated N1-N15 (N for Norwegian). Lymphocytes from 247 Norwegian dairy goats were tested. Each animal displayed from none to four of the characterized specificities. Lysostrip testing and family studies indicated that the specificities N1-N14 were coded for by multiple alleles belonging to at least two closely linked loci. It is suggested that these loci are part of the caprine major histocompatibility complex. Family studies gave strong evidence that the specificity N15 was not coded for by genes located in the same region as the other 14 specificities. Absorption studies showed that this specificity was located on both lymphocytes and erythrocytes.     

Erythrocyte antigens in Norwegian goats: serological and genetic studies.

Goat alloantisera and bovine blood typing reagents were used to characterize eight erythrocyte antigen specificities in Norwegian goats by cluster analysis, absorption and family studies. Most of the goat sera were produced by injecting dams once or twice with blood cells or blood from their own kids. The characterized specificities were designated N1-N8. The two specificities N5 and N8 were recognized both by goat alloantisera and by reagents against the bovine factors E'1 and E'2 (N5) and I (N8), which are allelic factors in the bovine B-system. In goat families, the two specificities also behaved as alleles. Consequently, the locus or gene system coding for these specificities was called the B-system of goats. The six other erythrocyte antigens were provisionally assigned to six separate loci. In addition, a bovine anti-sheep R factor reagent reacted with cells from 3.3% of the goats tested, whereas a monoclonal antibody against the Forssman antigen reacted with all the goats tested.     

Analysis of the fine specificities of sheep major histocompatibility complex class II-specific monoclonal antibodies using mouse L-cell transfectants

The fine specificities of two panels of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for sheep major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules were determined using five mouse L-cell transfectaents, each expressing a defined sheep DQ or DR MHC class II A/B gene pair. Using the transfectants in an indirect fluorescence antibody assay, previous immunochemical characterization of the mAbs was confirmed for 16 of 23 mAbs tested. The MHC class II subtype specificity ( DQ or DR ) of each mAb was assigned without interference from the products of other expressed class II loci. This allowed the identification of both cross-locus specificities as well as defining fine specificities of mAbs previously only partially characterized by immunochemical techniques.     

Analysis of class I MHC antigens in the rat by monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were made against class I MHC antigens of the i (mAb 42,70,39) and u (mAb 68-D) haplotypes in the rat by using specific strain combinations in order to obtain reagents for identifying the products of the RT1.An, RT1.Au, and RT1.Eu loci. These antibodies were hemagglutinating only; were IgG except for mAb 68-D3, which had a defective heavy chain; reacted identically with MHC-congenic strains and with their inbred donor strains; and precipitated class I MHC antigens. Strain distribution, sequential immunoprecipitation, and peptide mapping studies were used to define the specificities of the mAb, and the assignments were checked by comparing the specificities of the mAb with those of haplotype-specific alloantisera. The specificities were the following: mAb 42, An; mAb 68-D, Au; mAb 70, Eu; and mAb 39, an antigen encoded by a locus different from A and E. This new locus was designated RT1.F, and the allele detected by mAb 39, as Fa. The serologic data place RT1.F between RT1.A and RT1.D. The plasma membranes of DA.1I(BI) lymphocytes contain comparable amounts of An, Eu, and Fa antigens but express them on the cell surface in the order An much greater than Eu greater than Fa.     

Analysis of the HLA-DRw8 haplotype: Recognition by HTC typing of three distinct antigen complexes in Caucasians,Native Americans,and Orientals

We have used seven HLA-D homozygous typing cells (HTC) in a comparative study of the DRw8 antigen complex in three racial groups. Three distinct HLA-D specificities were recognized, each associated with HLA-DRw8. Four of the HTC defined a DRw8-associated HLA-D specificity designated 8.1, one defined a specificity designated 8.2, and two defined a specificity designated 8.3. Each of the three specificities showed an association with a distinct racial group: Dw"8.1" in Caucasians, Dw"8.2" in Pacific Northwest Indians, and Dw"8.3" in Orientals. An informative primed lymphocyte (PLT) cell generated against a Dw"8.1" haplotype was able to distinguish 8.1 from 8.2 and 8.3. Using selected anti-DRw8 sera, a serologic distinction between 8.1 and 8.3 could also be made. It was thus possible, by using both cellular and serologic techniques in a comparative population study, to recognize at least three HLA-D-defined splits of the DRw8 haplotype.     

Analysis of alloantisera against bovine lymphocytes. Joint report of the 1st International Bovine Lymphocyte Antigen (BoLA) Workshop

The results and agreements of the 1st international BoLA workshop, held in Edinburgh, Scotland in August 1978, are reported. Most of these concern the results from a comparison test of 249 alloantisera to bovine lymphocytes, the antisera being contributed by 9 laboratories. These sera were compared directly in Edinburgh on a panel of lymphocytes from 130 cattle of 21 breeds. In the micro-lymphocytotoxicity test used 75% of the sera reacted. Sixty eight of these sera were grouped into clusters according to their reaction patterns against the lymphocyte panel. Eleven of these clusters were clearly defined and were given workshop BoLA designations. In addition 22 sera were assigned to subgroups of the agreed clusters. There was no evidence that the method of production of the sera had any effect on their specificity.
Although genetic data was not available, the phenotypes of the test panel of lymphocytes are consistent with the clusters detecting antigens controlled by multiple alleles at a single autosomal locus. It was agreed to name the genetic region where this putative locus is located BoLA (bovine lymphocyte antigen).     

Analysis of alloantisera against bovine lymphocytes. Joint report of the 1st International Bovine Lymphocyte Antigen (BoLA) workshop

The results and agreements of the 1 international BoLA workshop, held in Edinburgh, Scotland in August 1978, are reported. Most of these concern the results from a comparison test of 249 alloantisera to bovine lymphocytes, the antisera being contributed by 9 laboratories. These sera were compared directly in Edinburgh on a panel of lymphocytes from 130 cattle of 21 breeds. In the microlymphocytotoxicity test used 75% of the sera reacted. Sixty eight of these sera were grouped into clusters according to their reaction patterns against the lymphocyte panel. Eleven of these clusters were clearly defined and were given workshop BoLA designations. In addition 22 sera were assigned to subgroups of the agreed clusters. There was no evidence that the method of production of the sera had any effect on their specificity. Although genetic data was not available, the phenotypes of the test panel of lymphocytes are consistent with the clusters detecting antigens controlled by multiple alleles at a single autosomal locus. It was agreed to name the genetic region where this putative locus is located BoLA (bovine lymphocyte antigen).     

Studies on murine natural killer (NK) cells. V. Genetic analysis of NK cell markers

This paper attempts to clarify the number and nomenclature of murine natural killer (NK) cell specific alloantigens by defining the genetic relationships between them, that is, are they coded by loci which are independent, allelic, or linked. Strain typing and F2 analyses using five alloantisera (C3H X BALB/c)F1 anti-CE, CE anti-CBA, NZB anti-BALB/c, C3H anti-ST, and BALB/c anti-DBA/2 revealed that (a) the alloantigens NK-1.1 and NK-3.1 are determined by distinct loci which are linked on the same chromosomes, (b) the alloantigen NK-2.1 is determined by an independently segregating locus to those coding for NK-1.1 and NK-3.1, (c) the alloantisera, CE anti-CBA and NZB anti-BALB/c, which have been designated anti-NK-2.1 alloantisera recognize different alloantigens coded by independent genetic loci. Thus, these five alloantisera detect four NK cell specific alloantigens which, based on the chronology of their discovery, have been designated NK-1.1-(C3H X BALB/c)F1 anti-CE, NK-2.1-CE anti-CBA, NK-3.1-C3H anti-ST, and BALB/c anti-DBA/2 and NK-4.1-NZB anti-BALB/c.     

Immunogenetic polymorphism of lipoproteins in swine. 1. Four additional serum beta-lipoprotein allotypes (Lpp2, Lpp4, Lpp5 and Lpp15) in the Lpp system.

Four additional swine serum lipoprotein allotypes are described. Specific anti-allotype reagents were obtained from alloimmune precipitating sera produced in lipoprotein-defined-type recipients immunized with normal sera and subsequently with lipoprotein fractions. Identification studies indicate that the four serologically defined low-density lipoprotein (LDL) variants, designated Lpp2, Lpp4, Lpp5 and Lpp15, are members of a previously described Lpp system. The individual specificities, Lpp2, Lpp4 and Lpp5, are determined by three co-dominant autosomal genes, Lpp2, Lpp4 and Lpp5, respectively, whereas the common specificity, Lpp15, is controlled by a complex of genetic information of the Lpp2 and Lpp4 genes, and by the two previously described alleles, Lpp1 and Lpp3; Lpp15 occurs on the same molecule with respective individual specificity. The Lpp5 and Lpp15 antigens behave as a pair of alternative allotypic specificities. The double immunodiffusion test in agar was employed to demonstrate independent phenotypic expression of each allelic gene in the Lpp heterozygous animals, for the analysis of the immune sera, and for lipoprotein testing of 3305 sera. Marked differences in gene frequencies were found between the swine breeds tested. As a result of characteristic frequencies, only nine of 15 possible Lpp genotypes were found in the breeding herds tested; the remaining six genotypes were obtained from testcross matings.     

Rapid assignment of swine leukocyte antigen haplotypes in pedigreed herds using a polymerase chain reaction-based assay

We present a simple assay to determine the swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) haplotypes of animals within two experimental populations of MHC defined miniature pigs. The Yucatan miniature pigs have four founder haplotypes ( w, x, y, z) and one recombinant haplotype ( q). The NIH miniature pigs have three founder haplotypes ( a, c, d) and two recombinant haplotypes ( f, g). Because most crossovers occur between the class I and class II regions, haplotypes can be assigned by typing one class I locus and one class II locus for practical purposes. We have previously characterized these seven founder haplotypes by sequencing the cDNA of three SLA class I loci, designated as SLA-1, SLA-3 and SLA-2 and four SLA class II loci, SLA-DQA1, SLA-DQB1, SLA-DRA1 and SLA-DRB1. These sequences were used to design allele-specific primers to amplify one MHC class I and one MHC class II gene for each haplotype. Primers were tested for specificity in homozygous and heterozygous animals. Positive control primers were also designed to amplify a portion of the E-selectin or alpha-actin gene and multiplexed with the allele-specific primers to check for false negatives. This combination of allele-specific and positive control primers produced specific and robust PCR-site-specific primer assays for assigning SLA haplotypes in the two populations.     

Production and characterization of alloantisera specific for bovine class II major histocompatibility complex antigens

Ten alloantisera defining five major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II specificities of the bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA) complex were produced and characterized. Eight antisera defining four of the specificities were generated by immunizing cattle with class I compatible-class II incompatible lymphocytes. The alloantiserum defining the fifth class II specificity was produced by skin implant immunization. A pregnancy serum specific for one of the class II specificities was also identified. The class II antigens recognized by these antisera were designated 'Dx' antigens to indicate that they are BoLA-D region antigens encoded by one or more undetermined class II loci. The molecules identified by the alloantisera are heterodimers composed of a 34-kd alpha and a 26- to 28-kd beta chain, and are expressed on B-lymphocytes but not on resting T-lymphocytes. In family studies the BoLA-Dx antigens segregated in linkage with the BoLA-A locus alleles. Most of the BoLA-A alleles present in the Cornell Holstein herd at a high frequency were found to exist in gametic association with two or more serologically defined class II haplotypes. On the basis of a population study it was determined that three pairs of class I and class II alleles (w10-Dx4, w31-Dx5, and c3-Dx2) were present in the Cornell herd at significantly increased frequencies.     

Functional mapping of SPARC: peptides from two distinct Ca+(+)-binding sites modulate cell shape

Using synthetic peptides, we have identified two distinct regions of the glycoprotein SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine) (osteonectin/BM-40) that inhibit cell spreading. One of these sites also contributes to the affinity of SPARC for extracellular matrix components. Peptides representing subregions of SPARC were synthesized and antipeptide antibodies were produced. Immunoglobulin fractions of sera recognizing an NH2-terminal peptide (designated 1.1) blocked SPARC- mediated anti-spreading activity. Furthermore, when peptides were added to newly plated endothelial cells or fibroblasts, peptide 1.1 and a peptide corresponding to the COOH terminal EF-hand domain (designated 4.2) inhibited cell spreading in a dose-dependent manner. These peptides exhibited anti-spreading activity at concentrations from 0.1 to 1 mM. The ability of peptides 1.1 and 4.2 to modulate cell shape was augmented by an inhibitor of protein synthesis and was blocked by specific antipeptide immunoglobulins. In addition to blocking cell spreading, peptide 4.2 competed for binding of [125I]SPARC and exhibited differential affinity for extracellular matrix molecules in solid-phase binding assays. The binding of peptide 4.2 to matrix components was Ca+(+)-dependent and displayed specificities similar to those of native SPARC. These studies demonstrate that both anti- spreading activity and affinity for collagens are functions of unique regions within the SPARC amino acid sequence. The finding that two separate regions of the SPARC protein contribute to its anti-spreading activity lead us to propose that multiple regions of the protein act in concert to regulate the interactions of cells with their extracellular matrix.     

Immunogenetic aspects of a canine breeding colony

A colony of dogs was expanded by selective breeding to study the immunogenetic determinants coded for by the major histocompatibility complex (DLA). Polymorphic determinants were identified by alloantisera specific for DLA-A and B loci antigens and by the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) which defined alleles at the D locus. Thirteen families totaling 58 offspring were produced and typed for allelic determinants coded for by each of the three gene loci. Allelic segregation in a codominant manner occurred as expected and a recombinant between the A and B loci was detected. A number of animals were homozygous at one or more loci, thus providing genetically standardized animals as a source of typing cells, antigens, and sera to further study the immunogenetic details of DLA and for in vivo studies in transplantation biology.     

Molecular identification of human Ia antigens coded for by a gene locus closely linked toHLA-DR locus

Human Ia(-like) specificities controlled by gene loci other thanHLA-DR were searched for at the molecular level in cells of human B-cell-type cell lines which carrytwo established DR specificities. Chevalier cells of DRw3 and 7 and U698M cells of DRw2 and 4 were used. Their Ia molecules were partially purified, radioiodinated and analyzed for Ia specificities by the direct binding and sequential binding assays with a selected panel of human Ia alloantisera. It was possible in both the cell lines to define a third subset of Ia molecules carrying a new specificity in addition to two Ia subsets carrying the established DR specificities. The new specificity was detected by putative anti-DRw4 and anti-DRw7 antisera and was closely associated with DRw4 and DRw7 at population level. It was thus designated provisionally as BR4X7. These results suggest that the BR4X7 specificity is coded for by a separateIa locus closely linked toHLA-DR locus. The determinant(s) responsible for BR4X7 was located on the small subunit of Ia molecules.     

Definition of supertypes for HLA molecules using clustering of specificity matrices

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins are encoded by extremely polymorphic genes and play a crucial role in immunity. However, not all genetically different MHC molecules are functionally different. Sette and Sidney (1999) have defined nine HLA class I supertypes and showed that with only nine main functional binding specificities it is possible to cover the binding properties of almost all known HLA class I molecules. Here we present a comprehensive study of the functional relationship between all HLA molecules with known specificities in a uniform and automated way. We have developed a novel method for clustering sequence motifs. We construct hidden Markov models for HLA class I molecules using a Gibbs sampling procedure and use the similarities among these to define clusters of specificities. These clusters are extensions of the previously suggested ones. We suggest splitting some of the alleles in the A1 supertype into a new A26 supertype, and some of the alleles in the B27 supertype into a new B39 supertype. Furthermore the B8 alleles may define their own supertype. We also use the published specificities for a number of HLA-DR types to define clusters with similar specificities. We report that the previously observed specificities of these class II molecules can be clustered into nine classes, which only partly correspond to the serological classification. We show that classification of HLA molecules may be done in a uniform and automated way. The definition of clusters allows for selection of representative HLA molecules that can cover the HLA specificity space better. This makes it possible to target most of the known HLA alleles with known specificities using only a few peptides, and may be used in construction of vaccines. Supplementary material is available at .     

Null alleles for gliadin blocks in bread and durum wheat cultivars

Summary Wheat gliadin proteins are coded by clusters of genes (complex loci) located on the short arms of chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6 in bread (6x) and durum (4x) wheats. The proteins expressed by the various complex loci have been designated gliadin blocks. In a survey of accessions from the Germplasm Institute (C.N.R., Bari, Italy) collection, several different accessions have been found that lack particular blocks of proteins (null alleles). In some bread wheat accessions, seeds do not express gliadins that are coded by chromosomes 1D and 6A in normal cultivars. Similarly, some durum wheat accessions lack -gliadin components coded for by genes on chromosomes 1A and 1B. The missing proteins do not result from the absence of whole chromosomes, but may be the consequence of partial deletion of these genes at a complex locus or result from their silencing.     

DNA polymorphism in the major histocompatibility complex of man and various farm animals

In the past few years it has been possible by combining enzymatic cleavage of genomic DNA and the Southern blot hybridization technique to explore the endonuclease recognition site polymorphism of the MHC. HLA class I and DR and DQ alpha and beta class II specific probes as well as human C4 and Bf class III probes were used. All these probes were shown to cross-hybridize with DNA from pigs, cattle, sheep and horses. Hybridization of human genomic DNA with a class I probe showed 15-25 bands per genome depending on the enzyme used. Distinct endonucleases generated clusters of restriction fragments (RF) in HLA-informative families which correlated with HLA specificities. While numerous clusters were found associated with HLA-A alleles almost no cluster was related to HLA B or C specificities. Similarly, class II probes provided a large number of clusters. The existence of these clusters suggested that some polymorphic restriction sites are found in strong linkage disequilibrium and that the underlying mechanism might be gene conversion with heteroduplex correction. Since the degree of polymorphism detected by RF appears to be greater than the polymorphism defined by more traditional methods stronger associations between RF and pathological conditions are to be expected. Southern blot analysis was applied to unrelated pigs and sheep, as well as to families. Preliminary studies have also been performed on a few unrelated cattle and horses. Depending on the endonuclease used the HLA class I probe hybridized with around 15 bands in MHC heterozygous pigs and ruminants while up to 20 bands were found in horses. Therefore, a several-fold greater number of potential class I genes exist compared to those actually expressed. With the class II beta probe, cattle and sheep showed around 10 bands whereas 15 were observed in pigs and around 20 in horses. Based on limited results obtained with DQ alpha and beta probes and with the DR alpha probe there appeared to be fewer of these respective genes. Only one C4 gene has been detected in pig and this gene maps within the SLA region. Hybridization with the human C4 probe in cattle, sheep and horses revealed two to four bands which could possibly account for two C4 genes. To date their linkage to the MHC has not been established. The Southern blot hybridization technique represents a powerful tool for future immunogenetic studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Serological study of BoLA class I antigens

Typing reagents were prepared determining the class I antigens of the main histocompatibility complex in cattle (BoLA). The microcytotoxic test was applied to analyse 450 sera (reagents) obtained from cows postpartum. Testing these sera on the panel of lymphocytes from unrelated animals and calculating mutual correlations of the reactions, we determined 113 groups of similarly reacting sera (clusters) which determine 13 specificities of Class I BoLA complex. The majority of these correspond to the internationally approved BoLA antigens.     

Serological typing of HLA-D: Predictive value in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC)

Locally produced antisera and antisera received through the Seventh International Histocompatibility Workshop exchange were investigated for specific B-cell cytotoxic activity in a panel of 95 unrelated HLA-D-typed donors. A number of sera formed clusters defining eight B-cell specificities which were strongly associated (p<0.001) to the HLA-D determinants Dw1–8. In panel investigations, only four triplets occurred. In five HLA recombinant families, these B-cell specificities followed the HLA-B-D chromosomal region, and in one —B/D recombination, DRw1 traveled with —Dw1. In MLCs between panel donors sharing zero, one, or two HLA-D-related B-cell specificities, significantly weaker MLC stimulation was observed with increasing compatibility, the median relative responses being 100, 52, and 17 percent, respectively. It is concluded that B cell-specificities HLA-DRw1–7 and WIA8 are probably coded for by HLA-D; they are excellent markers for the HLA-D determinants, which can thus be typed for by serological means; and serological typing for HLA-D has great value in predicting the outcome of MLCs.