Balancing selection shapes population differentiation of major histocompatibility complex genes in wild golden snub-nosed monkeys

Small and isolated populations face several intrinsic risks,such as genetic drift,inbreeding depression,and reduced gene fow.Thus,patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation have become an important focus of conservation genetics research.The golden snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus roxellana,an endangered species endemic to China,has experienced rapid reduction in population size and severe population fragmentation over the past few decades.We measured the patterns of genetic diversity and population differentiation using both neutral microsatellites and adaptive major histocompatibility complex(MHC)genes in 2 R.roxellana populations(DPY and GNG)distributed on the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains,respectively.Eight MHC-linked haplotypes formed by 5 DQA1 alleles,5 DQB1 alleles,5 DRB1 alleles,and 4 DRB2 alleles were detected in the 2 populations.The larger GNG population showed higher genetic variation for both MHC and microsatellites than the smaller DPY population,suggesting an effect of genetic drift on genetic variation.Genetic differentiation index(FST)outlier analyses,principal coordinate analysis(PCoA),and inferred population genetic structure showed lower genetic differentiation in the MHC variations than microsatellites,suggesting that pathogen-mediated balancing selection,rather than local adaptation,homogenized the MHC genes of both populations.This study indicates that both balancing selection and genetic drift may shape genetic variation and differentiation in small and fragmented populations.

In Vivo Histocompatibility Evaluation of Polyurethane Membrane Modified by Superfine Silk-fibroin Powder

In this study, a novel polyurethane membrane, modified by superfine silk-fibroin powder, was prepared for small-diameter vascular grafting. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and histological examination were applied to evaluate histocompatibility of this polyurethane membrane. The polyurethane membrane was compared with polytetrafluoroethylene material. A pseudomembrane and gap formed between polytetrafluoroethylene and the surrounding tissues, and no cells infiltrated or grew into the polytetrafluoroethylene material. On the contrary, superfine silk-fibroin powder/polyurethane blend membrane merged tightly with the surrounding tissues without gaps, and cells infiltrated and grew into the material. Moreover, the negative effects of superfine silk-fibroin powder/polyurethane blend membrane on cells were less than those of its polytetrafluoroethylene counterpart. Our findings indicated that the superfine silk-fibroin powder/polyurethane blend membrane has better histocompatibility than polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. It is concluded that the superfine silk-fibroin powder/polyurethane blend membrane is a promising biomaterial for small-diameter prosthesis.

Sequence polymorphism of two major histocompatibility(MH)classⅡB genes and their association with Vibrio anguillarum infection in half-smooth tongue sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis)

Major histocompatibility complex （MHC） class II B molecules play an important role in the adaptive immune response in fish. Previous study has reported that two highly polymorphic class II B genes, Cyse-DAB and Cyse-DBB exist in half-smooth tongue sole （Cynoglossus semilaevis）. In this study, the polymorphism within exon 2 of the class II B genes following bacterial challenge was evaluated. Two hundred C. semilaevis individuals were injected intraperitoneally with Vibrio anguillarum. Muscle tissue from the first 20 dead and 20 of the survivors was collected for genotyping. Sixty alleles from the 40 individuals were isolated, of which 32 belonged to Cyse-DAB and 28 belonged to Cyse-DBB. The rate of dN （non-synonymous substitution） was higher than that of ds （synonymous substitution） in the PBRs （peptide binding residues） of both class I1 B genes. Conversely, the rate of ds was higher than dy in the non-PBRs and the complete exon 2 sequence. Thus, the results suggest that positive selection has occurred in the PBRs and purifying selection in the non-PBRs and exon 2. Thirteen class II B alleles were used to study the association between alleles and resistance to infection. Though not significant, alleles Cyse-DAB＊ 0601, Cyse-DAB ＊ 0706, and Cyse-DBB＊O 101, Cyse-DBB＊ 1301 were only found in surviving individuals and may represent alleles that have resistance against V. anguillarum infection. Alleles Cyse-DAB＊0701 and Cyse-DAB＊1301 were significantly more prevalent in dead individuals than in surviving ones and may represent alleles that are associated with increased susceptibility to V. anguillarum infection.

Dominating expression of negative regulatory factors downmodulates major histocompatibility complex Class-Ⅱexpression on dendritic cells in chronic hepatitis C infection

AIM: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to development of functionally impaired dendritic cells(DCs) in chronic hepatitis C(CHC) patients infected with genotype 3 virus.METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on the cohorts of CHC individuals identified as responders or non-responders to antiviral therapy. Myeloid DCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of each subject using CD1c(BDCA1)+ DC isolation Kit. Monocytes from healthy donor were cultured with DC growth factors such as IL-4 and GM-CSF either in the presence or absence of hepatitis C virus(HCV) viral proteins followed by LPS stimulation. Phenotyping was done by flowcytometry and gene expression profiling was evaluated by real-time PCR.RESULTS: Non-responders [sustained virological response(SVR)-ve] to conventional antiviral therapy had significantly higher expression of genes associated with interferon responsive element such as IDO1 and PD-L1(6-fold) and negative regulators of JAK-STAT pathway such as SOCS(6-fold) as compared to responders(SVR+ve) to antiviral therapy. The downregulated genes in non-responders included factors involved in antigen processing and presentation mainly belonging to major histocompatibility complex(MHC) Class-Ⅱ family as HLA-DP, HLA-DQ(2-fold) and superoxide dismutase(2-fold). Cells grown in the presence of HCV viral proteins had genes downregulated for factors involved in innate response, interferon signaling, DC maturation and co-stimulatory signaling to T-cells, while the genes for cytokine signaling and Toll-like receptors(4-fold) were upregulated as compared to cells grown in absence of viral proteins.CONCLUSION: Underexpressed MHC class-Ⅱ genes and upregulated negative regulators in non-responders indicate diminished capacity to present antigen and may constitute mechanism of functionally defective state of DCs.

Naked DNA in cells:An inducer of major histocompatibility complex molecules to evoke autoimmune responses?

The major histocompatibility complex(MHC) is the exclusive chaperone that presents intracellular antigens,either self or foreign to T cells.Interestingly,aberrant expression of MHC molecules has been reported in various autoimmune target tissues such as thyroid follicular cells in Grave's disease.Herein,we review the discovery of an unexpected effect of cytosolic doublestranded DNA(ds DNA),despite its origins,to induce antigen processing and presenting genes,including MHC molecules,in non-immune cells.Moreover,we highlight several recent studies that suggest cell injury endows thyroid epithelial cells with a phenotype of mature antigen presenting cells by inducing multiple antigen processing and presenting genes via releasing genomic DNA fragments into the cytosol.We discuss the possibility that such cytosolic ds DNA,in naked form without binding to histone proteins,might be involved in the development of cell damage-triggered autoimmune responses.We also discuss the possible molecular mechanism by which cytosolic ds DNA can induce MHC molecules.It is reasonable to speculate that cytosolic ds DNA-induced MHC class Ⅰ is partially due to an autocrine/paracrine effect of type Ⅰ interferon(IFN).While the mechanism of cytosolic ds DNA-induced MHC class Ⅱ expression appears,at least partially,distinct from that mediated by IFN-γ.Further in-depth are required to clarify this picture.

Identification of two Major Histocompatibility(MH) Class Ⅱ A Genes and Their Association to Vibrio anguillarum Infection in Half-smooth Tongue Sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis)

Major histocompatibility complex class II antigens are important in vertebrate immune system.In the present study,the full cDNA sequence of class II A gene was synthesized by RACE-PCR from half-smooth tongue sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis),and its open reading frame(ORF) polymorphism was studied.The whole cDNA sequence was 992 bp in length,including the ORF with 717 bp.Twenty-five alleles were identified and clustered into two distinct groups according to the specific nucleotides/amino acids in specific positions.Eleven alleles belonged to Cyse-DAA while fourteen alleles belonged to Cyse-DBA.Four Cyse-DAA alleles were observed in one individual,and three to five Cyse-DBA alleles were observed in each of the three detected individuals,which indicated that at least two loci existed in each gene.Moreover,in order to study the function of the alleles in resistance to infection,200 individuals were intraperitoneally injected with Vibrio anguillarum and the first 20 dead individuals and 20 surviving ones were selected for genotype analysis.Fifty-six alleles were identified among the 40 individuals.Twenty-nine alleles belonged to Cyse-DAA and the other 27 alleles belonged to Cyse-DBA.Eighteen alleles were selected for studying their function in resistance to infection.Alleles Cyse-DAA*0201,Cyse-DAA*1101,Cyse-DBA*0401,Cyse-DBA*1102,Cyse-DBA*1801 and Cyse-DBA*2201 were identi-fied only in surviving individuals,while alleles Cyse-DAA*0901,Cyse-DBA*1101 and Cyse-DBA*1401 occurred more frequently in dead individuals.This study confirmed the existence and polymorphism of two class II A genes as well as the relationship between alleles of class II A genes and disease susceptibility/resistance in half-smooth tongue sole.

Differential response of injured and healthy retinas to syngeneic and allogeneic transplantation of a clonal cell line of immortalized olfactory ensheathing glia:a double-edged sword

Olfactory ensheathing glia promote axonal regeneration in the mammalian central nervous system,including retinal ganglion cell axonal growth through the injured optic nerve.Still,it is unknown whether olfactory ensheathing glia also have neuroprotective properties.Olfactory ensheathing glia express brain-derived neurotrophic factor,one of the best neuroprotectants for axotomized retinal ganglion cells.Therefore,we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective capacity of olfactory ensheating glia after optic nerve crush.Olfactory ensheathing glia cells from an established rat immortalized clonal cell line,TEG3,were intravitreally injected in intact and axotomized retinas in syngeneic and allogeneic mode with or without microglial inhibition or immunosuppressive treatments.Anatomical and gene expression analyses were performed.Olfactory bulb-derived primary olfactory ensheathing glia and TEG3 express major histocompatibility complex classⅡmolecules.Allogeneically and syngenically transplanted TEG3 cells survived in the vitreous for up to 21 days,forming an epimembrane.In axotomized retinas,only the allogeneic TEG3 transplant rescued retinal ganglion cells at 7 days but not at 21 days.In these retinas,microglial anatomical activation was higher than after optic nerve crush alone.In intact retinas,both transplants activated microglial cells and caused retinal ganglion cell death at 21 days,a loss that was higher after allotransplantation,triggered by pyroptosis and partially rescued by microglial inhibition or immunosuppression.However,neuroprotection of axotomized retinal ganglion cells did not improve with these treatments.The different neuroprotective properties,different toxic effects,and different responses to microglial inhibitory treatments of olfactory ensheathing glia in the retina depending on the type of transplant highlight the importance of thorough preclinical studies to explore these variables.

Identification of novel genes associated with atherosclerosis in Bama miniature pig

Background:Atherosclerosis is a chronic cardiovascular disease of great concern.However,it is difficult to establish a direct connection between conventional small animal models and clinical practice.The pig's genome,physiology,and anatomy reflect human biology better than other laboratory animals,which is crucial for studying the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.Methods:We used whole-genome sequencing data from nine Bama minipigs to perform a genome-wide linkage analysis,and further used bioinformatic tools to filter and identify underlying candidate genes.Candidate gene function prediction was performed using the online prediction tool STRING 12.0.Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of proteins encoded by candidate genes.Results:We mapped differential single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)to genes and obtained a total of 102 differential genes,then we used GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis to identify four candidate genes,including SLA-1,SLA-2,SLA-3,and TAP2.nsSNPs cause changes in the primary and tertiary structures of SLA-I and TAP2 proteins,the primary structures of these two proteins have undergone amino acid changes,and the tertiary structures also show slight changes.In addition,immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence results showed that the expression changes of TAP2 protein in coronary arteries showed a trend of increasing from the middle layer to the inner layer.Conclusions:We have identified SLA-I and TAP2 as potential susceptibility genes of atherosclerosis,highlighting the importance of antigen processing and immune response in atherogenesis.

Elimination of GGTA1,CMAH,β4GalNT2 and CIITA genes in pigs compromises human versus pig xenogeneic immune reactions

Background:Pig organ xenotransplantation is a potential solution for the severe organ shortage in clinic,while immunogenic genes need to be eliminated to improve the immune compatibility between humans and pigs.Current knockout strategies are mainly aimed at the genes causing hyperacute immune rejection(HAR)that occurs in the first few hours while adaptive immune reactions orchestrated by CD4 T cell thereafter also cause graft failure,in which process the MHCⅡmolecule plays critical roles.Methods:Thus,we generate a 4-gene(GGTA1,CMAH,β4GalNT2,and CIITA)knockout pig by CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell nuclear transfer to compromise HAR and CD4 T cell reactions simultaneously.Results:We successfully obtained 4KO piglets with deficiency in all alleles of genes,and at cellular and tissue levels.Additionally,the safety of our animals after gene editing was verified by using whole-genome sequencing and karyotyping.Piglets have survived for more than one year in the barrier,and also survived for more than 3 months in the conventional environment,suggesting that the piglets without MHCⅡcan be raised in the barrier and then gradually mated in the conventional environment.Conclusions:4KO piglets have lower immunogenicity,are safe in genomic level,and are easier to breed than the model with both MHCⅠandⅡdeletion.

Identification of TNFRSF1A as a novel regulator of carfilzomib resistance in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma(MM)is a hematological tumor with high mortality and recurrence rate.Carfilzomib is a new-generation proteasome inhibitor that is used as the first-line therapy for MM.However,the development of drug resistance is a pervasive obstacle to treating MM.Therefore,elucidating the drug resistance mechanisms is conducive to the formulation of novel therapeutic therapies.To elucidate the mechanisms of carfilzomib resistance,we retrieved the GSE78069 microarray dataset containing carfilzomib-resistant LP-1 MM cells and parental MM cells.Differential gene expression analyses revealed major alterations in the major histocompatibility complex(MHC)and cell adhesion molecules.The upregulation of the tumor necrosis factor(TNF)receptor superfamily member 1A(TNFRSF1A)gene was accompanied by the downregulation of MHC genes and cell adhesion molecules.Furthermore,to investigate the roles of these genes,we established a carfilzomib-resistant cell model and observed that carfilzomib resistance induced TNFRSF1A overexpression and TNFRSF1A silencing reversed carfilzomib resistance and reactivated the expression of cell adhesion molecules.Furthermore,TNFRSF1A silencing suppressed the tumorigenesis of MM cells in immunocompetent mice,indicating that TNFRSF1A may lead to carfilzomib resistance by dampening antitumor immunity.Furthermore,our results indicated that TNFRSF1A overexpression conferred carfilzomib resistance in MM cells and suppressed the expression of MHC genes and cell adhesion molecules.The suppression of MHC genes and cell adhesion molecules may impair the interaction between immune cells and cancer cells to impair antitumor immunity.Future studies are warranted to further investigate the signaling pathway underlying the regulatory role of TNFRSF1A in MM cells.

Anti-human leukocyte antigens and anti-major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A antibody expression in kidney transplantation during a four-year follow-up

Background Humoral immunity is an important factor for long-term survival of renal allograft. Here we performed a four-year follow-up to explore the clinical significance of monitoring anti-human leukocyte antigens （HLA） and anti-major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A （MICA） antibody expression after kidney transplantation. Methods We obtained serial serum samples from 84 kidney transplant patients over a four-year period. All patients were followed up at least 6 months after transplantation and had at least two follow-up points. Anti-HLA and anti-MICA antibody titres and serum creatinine （SCr） levels were evaluated at each follow-up. Patients were divided into 4 groups： HLA（＋） MICA（-）, HLA（-）MICA（＋）, HLA（＋）MICA（＋） and HLA（-）MICA（-）. The impact of post-transplant antibody level on kidney allograft function was evaluated. Results Antibodies were detected in 38.1% （32/84） of the renal allograft recipients. HLA, MICA and HLA＋MICA expression was observed in 18.89%, 14.44% and 5.93% of the recipients respectively. The most frequent anti-HLA and anti-MICA specific antibodies identified were All, A24, A29, A32, A33, A80; B7, B13, B37; DR17, DR12, DR18, DR52, DR53, DR1, DR4, DR9, DR51; DQ7, DQ4, DQ8, DQ2, DQ9, DQ5, DQ6 and MICA02, MICA18, MICA19, MICA07, MICA27. As the time after transplantation elapsed, more recipients developed de novo antibody expression. Total 11.91% （10/84） of the recipients had de novo antibody expression during the follow up. The average level of SCr and the percentage of recipients with abnormal allograft function were significantly higher in recipients with anti-HLA and/or anti- MICA antibody expression than those without. The appearance of anti-HLA and anti-MICA antibody expression always preceded the increase in SCr value. Conclusions Anti-HLA and anti-MICA antibody expression has predictive value for early and late allograft dysfunction. The presence of donor specific antibody is detrimental to graft function and graft survival.

Expression characteristics of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A antibodies and immunoadsorption effect in sensitized recipients of kidney transplantation

Background Sensitized recipients have a high risk of immunological graft loss due to hyperacute rejection and/or accelerated acute rejection. The presence of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A （MICA） antibodies has also been described associated with an increased rate of kidney-allograft rejection. The aim of this study was to describe the expression of MICA antibodies in sensitized recipients of renal transplantation and evaluate its influence on the kidney transplantation recipients.Methods A total of 29 sensitized recipients were included in this study. All patients received the MICA antibodies detection before and after protein A immunoadsorption. Panel reactive antibody （PRA）, HLA-matches, acute rejection and postoperative one to four-week serum creatinine level were also collected and analyzed, respectively. No prisoners were used in this study.Results Eight patients （27.6%） in all 29 sensitized recipients expressed the MICA antibodies but did not show higher acute rejection rate than the non-expressed patients （3/8, 37.5% vs. 8/21, 38.1%; P=1.000）. Recipients with PRA 〉40% showed higher expression levels of MICA antibodies than the recipients with PRA 〈40% （7/16, 43.8% vs. 1/13, 8.3%; P=0.044）. HLA mismatch did not have any effect on the expression of MICA antibodies （P=1.000）. MICA antibodies positive group had higher serum creatinine level than the control in postoperative one week （（135.4±21.4） μmol/L vs. （108.6±31.6） μmol/L, P=0.036）, but no significant difference in postoperative four weeks （（89.0±17.1） μmol/L vs. （77.1±15.9） μmol/L, P=0.089）. MICA antibodies decreased significantly after protein A immunoadsorption.Conclusions MICA antibodies increase in the sensitized recipients, which have significant effects on the function of aliograft in early postoperative period. Protein A immunoadsorption can decrease MICA antibodies effectively in sensitized recipients.

Antibodies against major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A in transplant recipients

Objective To review the role of polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A （MICA） gene and antibodies against MICA antigens in transplant immunology. Data sources The data used in this review were mainly from our own results and from the relevant English language literatures published from 1999 to 2010. Some data presented in this review are in press.Study selection Articles regarding MICA gene discovery and pioneering finding of antibodies against MICA antigen and allograft rejection were selected. This review chronicles the development of our understanding of the role that MICA antigens and antibodies may play in organ transplantation.Results Polymorphic glycoprotein MICA antigens were detected on freshly isolated human umbilical cord endothelial cells, but not on peripheral lymphocytes. Antibodies were found and typing of recipients and donors by sequencing the MICA alleles has established that de novo antibodies produced in kidney transplant recipients are directed at mismatched MICA epitopes and are associated with acute rejection and chronic transplant failure. The specificity of antibodies against the epitopes of MICA antigens were well characterized by donor MICA typing, single antigen array testing with antibody absorption and elution. Acute graft-versus-host disease was observed in stem-cell recipients who were mismatched for MICA.Conclusions Immunization against mismatched MICA epitopes encountered in donor organs after transplantation may result in antibodies against MICA alleles. Testing for MICA donor-specific antibodies （DSA） which are associated with early failure of kidney transplants may be helpful for identifying some of the targets of antibodies against antigens other than the human leukocyte antigen （HLA） and for improving transplantation outcome.

Recombination and mutation shape variations in the major histocompatibility complex

The major histocompatibility complex(MHC)is closely associated with numerous diseases,but its high degree of polymorphism complicates the discovery of disease-associated variants.In principle,recombination and de novo mutations are two critical factors responsible for MHC polymorphisms.However,direct evidence for this hypothesis is lacking.Here,we report the generation of fine-scale MHC recombination and de novo mutation maps of~5 Mb by deep sequencing(>100×)of the MHC genome for 17 MHC recombination and 30 non-recombination Han Chinese families(a total of 190 individuals).Recombination hotspots and Han-specific breakpoints are located in close proximity at haplotype block boundaries.The average MHC de novo mutation rate is higher than the genome-wide de novo mutation rate,particularly in MHC recombinant individuals.Notably,mutation and recombination generated polymorphisms are located within and outside linkage disequilibrium regions of the MHC,respectively,and evolution of the MHC locus was mainly controlled by positive selection.These findings provide insights on the evolutionary causes of the MHC diversity and may facilitate the identification of disease-associated genetic variants.

Major histocompatibility complex and mate choice in the polygynous primate:the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus roxellana)

The highly polymorphic genes within the major histocompatibility complex(MHC)not only play a major role in immunity resistance,but also seem to provide hints for mate choice in some animal populations.In the pres­ent study we investigated MHC-related mate choice in a small natural population(group size 40-55 individuals)of a polygynous primate,the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus roxellana).We found that there was no evidence either for MHC-disassortative mating,or for females to mate with males based on MHC hetero­zygosity or specific alleles.Nevertheless,of the 11 alleles identified,we found that the frequencies of 2 alleles,Rhro-DRB2(P<0.01)and Rhro-DRB5(P<0.05)were higher in offspring than in their parents.These findings suggest that MHC-DRB in this population of R.roxellana is unlikely to be associated with mating preferences.Limited female opportunities for mate choice are likely due,in part,to the harem breeding structure present in R.roxellana,and the relatively small number of resident adult males in our study band(N=4-6).In addition,we suggest that differences in the frequency of particular alleles across generations may be linked to parasite resis­tance in a fluctuating environment;however,confirmation of this finding requires further study.

Sequence variability analysis on major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ DRB alleles in three felines

The variation of the exon 2 of the major histo-compatibility complex(MHC)class II gene DRB locus in three feline species were examined on clouded leopard(Neofelis nebulosa),leopard(Panthera pardus)and Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica).A pair of degenerated primers was used to amplify DRB locus covering almost the whole exon 2.Exon 2 encodes theβ1 domain which is the most vari-able fragments of the MHC class II molecule.Single-strand conformational polymorphism(SSCP)analysis was applied to detect different MHC class II DRB haplotypes.Fifteen recombinant plasmids for each individual were screened out,isolated,purified and sequenced finally.Totally eight distinct haplotypes of exon 2 were obtained in four individuals.With-in 237 bp nucleotide sequences from four samples,30 vari-able positions were found,and 21 putative peptide-binding positions were disclosed in 79 amino acid residues.The ratio of nonsynonymous substitutions(d_(N))was much higher than that of synonymous substitutions(d_(S)),which indicated that balancing selection probably maintain the variation of exon 2.MEGA neighbor joining(NJ)and PAUP maximum parsimo-ny(MP)methods were used to reconstruct phylogenetic trees among species,respectively.Results displayed a more close relationship between leopard and tiger;however,clouded leopard has a comparatively distant relationship form the other two.

Next-generation Sequencing of MHC Class Ⅰ Genes Reveals Trans-species Polymorphism in Eutropis multifasciata and Other Species of Scincidae

The genes of the major histocompatibility complex(MHC) encode cell surface proteins that are essential for adaptive immunity. MHC genes show the most prominent genetic diversity in vertebrates,reflecting the adaptation of populations to their evolving environment, population survival and reproduction. In the present study, we used nextgeneration sequencing(NGS) to study the loci polymorphism of exon 3 of the MHC class Ⅰ genes in an ovoviviparous skink, the many-lined sun skink,Eutropis multifasciata and five other species of Scincidae, to quantify genetic variation. In addition,we genotyped the same MHC class Ⅰ genes of E.multifasciata using clone sequencing, to directly compare the effectiveness of both analytical techniques for MHC genotyping. NGS detected 20MHC class Ⅰ alleles in E. multifasciata, and 2 to 15 alleles in the other five Scincidae species. However,clone sequencing detected only 15 of those MHC class Ⅰ alleles in E. multifasciata. In addition, transspecies polymorphism of MHC class Ⅰ genes was studied by constructing a phylogenetic tree using the gene sequences obtained by NGS. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MHC class I alleles were shared among different species of Scincidae with trans-species polymorphism, and did not exhibit specific genealogical inheritance. These results have important implications for understanding polymorphism interspecies diversity in the MHC genes of Scincidae, and the evolution of the MHC more broadly.

Polymorphism of Exon 3 of MHC Class Ⅱ B Gene in Chinese Alligator(Alligator sinensis)

The polymorphism of MHC class II B gene in 14 Chinese alligators was analyzed, which came from three different areas： a wild population from Xuancheng, Anhui, a captive population from Changxing, Zhejiang, and a captive population from Anhui Research Center for Reproduction of Chinese Alligators. The gene fragment was amplified using a pair of specific primers designed from the MHC gene sequence of the spectacled caiman. A total of 34 sequence haplotypes of exon 3 were detected in the sampled Chinese alligators. The numbers of haplotypes of the 3 Chinese alligator populations were 15, 10, and 9, respectively. The overall estimation of the MHC polymorphism in the Chinese alligator population was higher than those in mammals and in cypdnid fish, The rates of nonsynonymous substitutions （dN） occurred at a significantly lower frequency than that of synonymous substitutions （ds）, which were not consistent with the common rule. This result might suggest that the polymorphism of exon 3 seemed not to be maintained by the balancing selection. The neutrality test of Tajima excluded the null hypothesis that the polymorphism of exon 3 was generated by a random drift, and the fact that D = -0.401 indicated an excess of rare mutations in the Chinese alligator. The nucleotide diversity of the sequences and the phylogenetic relations were also analyzed, and the results suggested that there was no significant difference in genetic diversity among the 3 populations of Chinese alligator.

Establishment of In Vitro Cellular Model Predicting Histocompatibity in Allograft

A novel in vitro cellular model prodicting recipient donor histocompatibility in allograft was developed to select the donor validly. Fifteen couples of blood samples of donor and recipient in human BMT were examined using the model, and skin allograft in mice was performed to test the model. The results showed that the less the differences of histocompatibility evaluated by the model were, the later GVHR in human BMT occurred and the longer the survival time of skin allografts in mice. It was suggested that the model could be used to predict correctly histocompatibility between donor and recipient.

珠江口3种鲸豚的MHC-I基因多态性研究

旨在了解珠江口栖息的中华白海豚(Sousa chinensis)、宽脊江豚(Neophocaena phocaenoides)和点斑原海豚(Stenella attenuate)免疫相关基因MHC-I(Major Histocompatibility Complex)的多态性及其表达情况,以期为这3种鲸豚的保育工作提供基础资料。通过克隆测序的方法,首次证实MHC-I基因在这3种鲸豚体内表达。选择压力分析,表明MHC-I基因在这3种鲸豚中均受到强烈的正选择作用,提示其具有重要的免疫功能。3种鲸豚的MHC-I基因在系统发育树上相互混杂在一起,表明MHC-I基因存在跨物种多态性。结合选择压力分析和跨物种多态性,发现MHC-I基因受到平衡选择作用。珠江口3种鲸豚MHC-I基因多态性可能由平衡选择维持。