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MHC haplotype frequencies in a UK breeding colony of Mauritian cynomolgus macaques mirror those found in a distinct population from the same geographic origin |
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| Authors: | Edward T. Mee ,Anjna Badhan ,Julie A. Karl,Roger W. Wiseman,Keith Cutler,Leslie A. Knapp,Neil Almond,David H. O'Connor,& Nicola J. Rose |
| Affiliation: | Division of Retrovirology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, UK; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA; Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA; Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK |
| Abstract: | Background Mauritian cynomolgus macaques have greatly restricted genetic diversity in the MHC region compared to other non-human primates; however, the frequency of common MHC haplotypes among captive-bred populations has not been reported. Methods Microsatellite PCR was used to determine MHC haplotype frequencies among captive macaques at a UK breeding facility. Allele-specific PCR and reference strand conformational analysis were used to determine the allele expression profile of a subset of animals. Results Haplotypes H3 (21%) and H1 (19%) were most common in the captive population of Mauritian cynomolgus macaques. Predicted alleles were detected by allele-specific PCR-SSP in 98% of animals. Allele expression profiles were similar in animals with identical haplotypes. Conclusions Mauritian cynomolgus macaques in the UK breeding facility have restricted MHC diversity comparable to a previously described population. Microsatellite-derived haplotypes are highly predictive of allele expression. A selective breeding program has been established to produce MHC-identical animals for biomedical research. |
| Keywords: | haploidentical animals immunogenetics Macaca fascicularis selective breeding |