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Silver LW, Hogg CJ, Belov K. Plethora of New Marsupial Genomes Informs Our Knowledge of Marsupial MHC Class II. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae156. [PMID: 39031605 PMCID: PMC11305139 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a vital role in the vertebrate immune system due to its role in infection, disease and autoimmunity, or recognition of "self". The marsupial MHC class II genes show divergence from eutherian MHC class II genes and are a unique taxon of therian mammals that give birth to altricial and immunologically naive young providing an opportune study system for investigating evolution of the immune system. Additionally, the MHC in marsupials has been implicated in disease associations, including susceptibility to Chlamydia pecorum infection in koalas. Due to the complexity of the gene family, automated annotation is not possible so here we manually annotate 384 class II MHC genes in 29 marsupial species. We find losses of key components of the marsupial MHC repertoire in the Dasyuromorphia order and the Pseudochiridae family. We perform PGLS analysis to show the gene losses we find are true gene losses and not artifacts of unresolved genome assembly. We investigate the associations between the number of loci and life history traits, including lifespan and reproductive output in lineages of marsupials and hypothesize that gene loss may be linked to the energetic cost and tradeoffs associated with pregnancy and reproduction. We found support for litter size being a significant predictor of the number of DBA and DBB loci, indicating a tradeoff between the energetic requirements of immunity and reproduction. Additionally, we highlight the increased susceptibility of Dasyuridae species to neoplasia and a potential link to MHC gene loss. Finally, these annotations provide a valuable resource to the immunogenetics research community to move forward and further investigate diversity in MHC genes in marsupials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke W Silver
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Wang L, Zhang F, Chen Y, Wang S, Chen Z, Zhou Q, Chen S. Molecular cloning, expression analysis of the IgT gene and detection of IgT + B cells in the half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 123:113-126. [PMID: 35218973 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
IgT is a specific Ig isotype in teleosts, which plays extremely important roles in the mucosal immunity of fish. In the present study, the membrane-bound and secretory IgT of the half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) were identified for the first time. The V-D-J-C structure of two forms of csIgT are translated by the same Cτ gene, and the secretory tail and transmembrane domain were encoded through alternative splicing at the 3' end of the Cτ4. The CH regions of csIgT had high similarity with that of other flatfish (P. olivaceus and S. maximus). In healthy C. semilaevis, sIgT and mIgT were mainly expressed in mucus related tissues such as skin, intestine and gill. The transcript levels of sIgT and mIgT mRNA showed a significant induction in the immune-related tissues upon Vibrio Harveyi infection. A polyclonal rabbit anti-csIgT was successfully prepared using the csIgT heavy chain recombinant protein. Using this antibody, we detected the native IgT with the molecular mass at 220 kDa in skin total protein under non-reducing SDS-PAGE condition. Immunofluorescence analysis indicated that IgT+ B lymphocytes were intensively located in the skin, gill, intestine, and head kidney of C. semilaevis. These results suggest that IgT may participate in the immune response of C. semilaevis, which will facilitate the investigations of the immunoglobulins of marine fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Fumiao Zhang
- Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Shuangyan Wang
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Zhangfan Chen
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Songlin Chen
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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Schraven AL, Hansen VL, Morrissey KA, Stannard HJ, Ong OT, Douek DC, Miller RD, Old JM. Developmental and comparative immunology single-cell transcriptome analysis of the B-cell repertoire reveals the usage of immunoglobulins in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 123:104141. [PMID: 34038789 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
B-cells are key to humoral immunity, are found in multiple lymphoid organs, and have the unique ability to mediate the production of antigen-specific antibodies in the presence of pathogens. The marsupial immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy (H) chain locus encodes four constant region isotypes, IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE, but no IgD, and there are two light (L) chain isotypes, lambda (Igλ) and kappa (Igκ). To gain an understanding of the marsupial humoral immune system, B-cell transcriptomes generated by single-cell RNA sequencing from gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) splenocytes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analysed. The cells used were from a single unimmunized animal and the majority of B-cells were transcribing IgM heavy chains. The ratio of Ig light chain use was roughly 2:1, Igλ:Igκ in this individual. This was not predicted due to Igκ being the more complex of the two L chain loci. The variable (V) gene segment pairs used in individual B-cells confirm greater diversity provided by the L chain V. This study is the first to report on using single cell analysis to investigate Ig repertoires in a marsupial and confirms a number of prior hypothesis, as well as revealing some surprises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Schraven
- School of Science and Health, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Victoria L Hansen
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Kimberly A Morrissey
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Hayley J Stannard
- Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
| | - Oselyne Tw Ong
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Daniel C Douek
- Human Immunology Section, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robert D Miller
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Julie M Old
- School of Science and Health, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
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Old JM. Haematopoiesis in Marsupials. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 58:40-46. [PMID: 26592963 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Marsupials are a group of mammals that give birth to immature young lacking mature immune tissues at birth, and are unable to mount their own specific immune defence. Their immune tissues develop in a non-sterile ex-utero environment unlike that of eutherian mammals such as ourselves. Marsupials are therefore ideal models for studying the development of immune tissues, in particular haematopoiesis, yet relatively little has been investigated. Most studies have been restricted to histological or immunohistological studies, however some factors likely to be involved, based on eutherian studies in haematopoiesis, have been isolated and characterised, including a few key markers, and some cell signaling and regulation molecules, mostly involved in lymphocytopoiesis. However the role of many molecules in haematopoiesis is largely presumed. We currently lack much of the rudimentary information regarding time of appearance and expression levels of these molecules, and no functional studies have been conducted. This paper reviews our knowledge of marsupial haematopoiesis to date, and highlights the need for future research in marsupials to gain further insights into the evolution of haematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Old
- Water and Wildlife Ecology, School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, N.S.W, 2751 Australia.
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Coevolution of Mucosal Immunoglobulins and the Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor: Evidence That the Commensal Microbiota Provided the Driving Force. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1155/2014/541537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Immunoglobulins (Igs) in mucosal secretions contribute to immune homeostasis by limiting access of microbial and environmental antigens to the body proper, maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier and shaping the composition of the commensal microbiota. The emergence of IgM in cartilaginous fish represented the primordial mucosal Ig, which is expressed in all higher vertebrates. Expansion and diversification of the mucosal Ig repertoire led to the emergence of IgT in bony fishes, IgX in amphibians, and IgA in reptiles, birds, and mammals. Parallel evolution of cellular receptors for the constant (Fc) regions of Igs provided mechanisms for their transport and immune effector functions. The most ancient of these Fc receptors is the polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR), which first appeared in an ancestor of bony fishes. The pIgR transports polymeric IgM, IgT, IgX, and IgA across epithelial cells into external secretions. Diversification and refinement of the structure of mucosal Igs during tetrapod evolution were paralleled by structural changes in pIgR, culminating in the multifunctional secretory IgA complex in mammals. In this paper, evidence is presented that the mutualistic relationship between the commensal microbiota and the vertebrate host provided the driving force for coevolution of mucosal Igs and pIgR.
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Abstract
Marsupial immune responses were previously touted as ‘primitive’ but we now know that the marsupial immune system is complex and on par with that of eutherian mammals. In this manuscript we review the field of marsupial immunology, focusing on basic anatomy, developmental immunology, immunogenetics and evolution. We concentrate on advances to our understanding of marsupial immune gene architecture, made possible by the recent sequencing of the opossum, tammar wallaby and Tasmanian devil genomes. Characterisation of immune gene sequences now paves the way for the development of immunological assays that will allow us to more accurately study health and disease in marsupials.
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Daly KA, Digby M, Lefèvre C, Mailer S, Thomson P, Nicholas K, Williamson P. Analysis of the expression of immunoglobulins throughout lactation suggests two periods of immune transfer in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2007; 120:187-200. [PMID: 17727962 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2007.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2007] [Revised: 07/09/2007] [Accepted: 07/17/2007] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Marsupial young are born in an under-developed state without mature immune responses. Prior to the maturation of an immune system, marsupial young are heavily reliant upon immune factors secreted in the milk to defend them against potential microbial pathogens in the environment. In this study, we identified and characterized the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant regions, light chains, polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR), J chain, neonatal Fc receptor (alpha chain) (FcRn) and the chemokine CCL28 from the model marsupial species, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Low levels of conservation were seen in motifs in C alpha and C gamma associated with receptor binding and or transcytosis, and this may have potential implications for functionality. We evaluated the expression of immunoglobulin genes in the tammar mammary gland throughout lactation and found that two periods of increased expression of immunoglobulin genes occur. These two periods coincide with the birth of the young, and with its first emergence from the pouch. This increased expression may represent a strategy for maternal immunological protection of the pouch young.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry A Daly
- Centre for Advanced Technologies in Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Innovative Dairy Products, Australia
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Baker ML, Belov K, Miller RD. Unusually similar patterns of antibody V segment diversity in distantly related marsupials. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 174:5665-71. [PMID: 15843567 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.9.5665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A pattern of coevolution between the V gene segments of Ig H and L chains has been noted previously by several investigators. Species with restricted germline V(H) diversity tend to have limited germline V(L) diversity, whereas species with high levels of germline V(H) diversity have more diverse V(L) gene segments. Evidence for a limited pool of V(H) but diverse V(L) gene segments in a South American opossum, Monodelphis domestica, is consistent with this marsupial being an exception to the pattern. To determine whether M. domestica is unique or the norm for marsupials, the V(H) and V(L) of an Australian possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, were characterized. The Ig repertoire in T. vulpecula is also derived from a restricted V(H) pool but a diverse V(L) pool. The V(L) gene segments of T. vulpecula are highly complex and contain lineages that predate the separation of marsupials and placental mammals. Thus, neither marsupial follows a pattern of coevolution of V(H) and V(L) gene segments observed in other mammals. Rather, marsupial V(H) and V(L) complexity appears to be evolving divergently, retaining diversity in V(L) perhaps to compensate for limited V(H) diversity. There is a high degree of similarity between the V(H) and V(L) in M. domestica and T. vulpecula, with the majority of V(L) families being shared between both species. All marsupial V(H) sequences isolated so far form a common clade of closely related sequences, and in contrast to the V(L) genes, the V(H) likely underwent a major loss of diversity early in marsupial evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Baker
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny M Woof
- Division of Pathology and Neuroscience, University of Dundee Medical School, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK
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Belov K, Hellman L. Immunoglobulin genetics of Ornithorhynchus anatinus (platypus) and Tachyglossus aculeatus (short-beaked echidna). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2004; 136:811-9. [PMID: 14667846 DOI: 10.1016/s1095-6433(03)00165-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we review data on the monotreme immune system focusing on the characterisation of lymphoid tissue and of antibody responses, as well the recent cloning of immunoglobulin genes. It is now known that monotremes utilise immunoglobulin isotypes that are structurally identical to those found in marsupials and eutherians, but which differ to those found in birds and reptiles. Monotremes utilise IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE. They do not use IgY. Their IgG and IgA constant regions contain three domains plus a hinge region. Preliminary analysis of monotreme heavy chain variable region diversity suggests that the platypus primarily uses a single VH clan, while the short-beaked echidna utilises at least 4 distinct VH families which segregate into all three mammalian VH clans. Phylogenetic analysis of the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gene sequences provides strong support for the Theria hypothesis. The constant region of IgM has proven to be a useful marker for estimating the time of divergence of mammalian lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Belov
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney 2010, Australia.
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Miska KB, Hellman L, Miller RD. Characterization of beta(2)-microglobulin coding sequence from three non-placental mammals: the duckbill platypus, the short-beaked echidna, and the grey short-tailed opossum. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2003; 27:247-256. [PMID: 12590975 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-305x(02)00095-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
To further characterize genes of immunological importance from non-placental mammals, cDNAs encoding beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m) were isolated from two prototherians, the platypus and an echidna, and one metatherian, a grey short-tailed opossum. In addition, a second allele of beta(2)m was identified in another metatherian species, the brushtail possum. Analysis of the deduced translations revealed conservation of key residues in these molecules over a long evolutionary history. The types of nucleotide substitutions present among the various taxa are also consistent with purifying selection at this conserved locus. An evolutionary tree of beta(2)m was constructed that supports the classic view of evolution with prototherians as the basal mammalian group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna B Miska
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Kay DJ, Kitchener AL. Immune response of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) to sperm antigens. Reprod Fertil Dev 2003; 15:429-37. [PMID: 15018780 DOI: 10.1071/rd03009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2003] [Accepted: 01/22/2003] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, male and female tammar wallabies were immunised with whole tammar wallaby sperm in adjuvant. An assay for sperm antibodies using a live sperm ELISA has been developed to detect sperm surface antigens and used to validate an assay using a 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1 propanesulfonate (CHAPS) membrane extract of whole tammar wallaby sperm. The tests were used to monitor the immune response to whole sperm in both male and female tammar wallabies. Antisera with a limited array of specificities were generated, with those locating to the midpiece region of the sperm appearing the most likely candidates for targets for fertility perturbation based on immunofluorescence of fixed and non-fixed sperm. These systemically generated antibodies were demonstrated to have access to both the female and male tammar reproductive tracts and were found on ejaculated sperm and antibodies from female sera and follicular fluid-labelled fresh ejaculated sperm from non-immunised males. Preliminary sequencing of these proteins has identified some possibilities for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Kay
- Cooperative Research Centre for Conservation and Management of Marsupials, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
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Belov K, Hellman L, Cooper DW. Characterisation of echidna IgM provides insights into the time of divergence of extant mammals. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2002; 26:831-839. [PMID: 12377222 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-305x(02)00030-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The immunobiology of monotremes is poorly understood. In this paper, we describe the characterisation of the heavy chain of IgM from Tachyglossus aculeatus, the short-beaked echidna. The echidna heavy chain constant region of IgM (Cmu)was isolated from a spleen cDNA library using a Trichosurus vulpecula probe. It has approximately 46.5% amino acid identity to marsupial and eutherian Cmus, and approximately 30% amino acid identity with Cmu from birds and reptiles. Phylogenetic analysis of mammalian Cmu provides strong support for the Theria hypothesis, with a sister grouping of the eutherians and marsupials to the exclusion of the monotremes. Cmu sequences suggest that monotremes and therians separated approximately 170 million years ago (mya), marsupials and eutherians separated approximately 130mya, and Australian and American marsupials separated approximately 65mya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Belov
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
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Rawson RR, Belov K, Gidley-Baird AA, Cooper DW. Characterisation of antisera to recombinant IgA of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2002; 88:89-95. [PMID: 12088648 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-2427(02)00126-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
One of the limiting factors in understanding immune responses in marsupials is the scarcity of marsupial specific immunological reagents. This paper describes the characterisation of an antiserum raised against a recombinant protein of the constant region of the heavy chain of IgA (C(alpha)) of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). The availability of a marsupial specific anti-IgA provides a useful tool for the characterisation of mucosal immune responses in possums. Anti-C(alpha) specifically detects IgA in possum serum and secretions using ELISAs, immuno-dot blots and Western blots without any cross-reactivity to IgG. The possum anti-C(alpha) cross-reacts with IgA of koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), demonstrating the potential for use in other marsupials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée R Rawson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
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Belov K, Nguyen MAT, Zenger KR, Cooper DW. Ontogeny of immunoglobulin expression in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2002; 26:599-602. [PMID: 12074924 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-305x(02)00015-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Marsupials, unlike eutherians, are born immunologically immature, without circulating lymphocytes or organised lymphoid tissue. Their immune response develops while they are in the pouch not in the uterus. In this study, the onset time of immunoglobulin expression in Trichosurus vulpecula pouch young was estimated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. As in eutherian species, IgM heavy chain transcripts were detected first, at day 10 post partum. The first switched transcript, detected at day 18, was Calpha. Cgamma and Cvarepsilon transcripts were not present at day 72, but were seen at day 103, approximately corresponding to the time of release of the teat and exposure to new antigens, as well as the time of the loss of capacity to absorb maternal Igs through the gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Belov
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
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Belov K, Harrison GA, Miller RD, Cooper DW. Molecular cloning of four lambda light chain cDNAs from the Australian brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH SOCIETY FOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY AND IMMUNOGENETICS 2002; 29:95-9. [PMID: 11918633 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2370.2002.00286.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A brushtail possum mesenteric lymph node cDNA library was screened with a grey short-tail opossum Clambda probe and four immunoglobulin lambda cDNAs were isolated. Two of the isolated clones (L5 and L10) contained identical framework 4 regions and constant regions (but different variable regions), suggesting that the possum lambda locus is organized as multiple J-C pairs--a feature seen in the opossum and placental mammals. The cloning of the lambda light chain cDNAs signifies the completion of the basic molecular characterization of the brushtail possum immunoglobulin repertoire. The availability of this sequence data will allow extensive analysis of the immune response of the brushtail possum at the molecular level, as well as the development of specific immunological reagents for detection of immunoglobulin molecules at the protein level.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Belov
- Division of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
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Doolin EE, Midwinter RG, McCarthy AR, Buddle BM. Purification of secretory immunoglobulin A from milk of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). N Z Vet J 2001; 49:181-6. [PMID: 16032190 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2001.36230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
AIM To identify and purify secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), a key effecter molecule in mucosal immune responses, from milk of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). METHODS Milk samples were collected from female possums with pouch young, and clarified by centrifugation and precipitation methods. The clarified fraction was purified by gel filtration and affinity chromatography to yield sIgA. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE) and immunoblotting techniques were used to assess the purity of the final product, and to identify the heavy (H) chain, light (L) chain and secretory component (SC) of possum sIgA. RESULTS Immunoblotting, using antibodies raised against cloned possum sIgA SC and H-chain, and a synthetic peptide fragment of the H-chain, confirmed the identity of the purified protein. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified possum sIgA showed strong homology to reported sequences of H-chain variable regions of marsupial immunoglobulins. CONCLUSIONS Milk was shown to be a convenient source of mucosal secretion containing sIgA, and a process involving 2 precipitation and 2 chromatography steps produced purified sIgA. This IgA preparation will prove useful for the generation of sIgA-specific immunological reagents for measurement of immune responses in the development of mucosal-based vaccines for biological control of possums.
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Affiliation(s)
- E E Doolin
- AgResearch, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, PO Box 40-063, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
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20
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Belov K, Harrison GA, Miller RD, Cooper DW. Characterisation of the kappa light chain of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2001; 78:317-24. [PMID: 11292532 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-2427(01)00239-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Two full length cDNA sequences encoding the kappa light chain of the Australian marsupial, Trichosurus vulpecula, the brushtail possum, were isolated from a mesenteric lymph node cDNA library. The constant regions (Ckappa) of the two light chains were identical, but the variable (Vkappa) and joining (Jkappa) regions were different. At the amino acid level, possum Ckappa was most similar to Ckappa of an American marsupial, Monodelphis domestica (75%), with similarity to eutherian Ckappa ranging from 47 to 63%. The availability of molecular data will enable the development of immunological reagents for studying immune responses and disease in marsupials, thereby aiding conservation strategies and veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Belov
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
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21
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Lam MK, Belov K, Harrison GA, Cooper DW. Cloning of the MHC class II DRB cDNA from the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Immunol Lett 2001; 76:31-6. [PMID: 11222910 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-2478(00)00314-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The cell-surface glycoproteins encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) bind to processed foreign antigens and present them to T lymphocytes. Two classes of MHC molecules and their corresponding gene sequences have been extensively studied in eutherian mammals and birds, but data on the marsupial MHC are limited. Marsupials split from eutherian mammals about 125 million years ago and represent a distinct branch in mammalian evolution. Here the cDNA cloning of MHC class II genes of the brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) is reported. The sequences obtained were found to be relatively conserved when compared to the red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) and an South American marsupial, Monodelphis domestica. The T. vulpecula sequence shared an average overall sequence identity of 75.4% at the deduced amino acid level with M. rufogriseus and M. domestica, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Lam
- Department of Biological Sciences, Australasian Fauna Laboratories, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, North Ryde, Australia.
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22
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Miller RD, Belov K. Immunoglobulin genetics of marsupials. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2000; 24:485-490. [PMID: 10785273 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-305x(00)00011-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Until recently, studies of marsupial immunoglobulins were limited to primarily protein analyses, such as Protein A binding and immunological cross-reactivity to eutherian immunoglobulins to draw conclusions about the isotypes present in metatherians. This left an interesting gap in our knowledge of the evolution of vertebrate, more specifically mammalian, antibodies and provided little insight into the diversity of marsupial antibodies. Recently, however, there has been a flurry of papers from multiple laboratories describing, at the molecular level, the heavy and light chain classes present in marsupials with some analysis of the expressed repertoires. These studies have provided the evidence to determine when some of the uniquely mammalian isotypes, e.g. IgG and IgE, appeared in evolution, and are a first look at the complexity of heavy and light chain variable regions in a metatherian. Here we review what was known prior to the cloning of marsupial Ig genes and what we have learned recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Miller
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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23
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Old JM, Deane EM. Development of the immune system and immunological protection in marsupial pouch young. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2000; 24:445-454. [PMID: 10785270 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-305x(00)00008-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
At birth the tissues of marsupial immune system are underdeveloped. The young animal is not immunocompetent. Histological and immunohistochemical studies of pouch young epithelial tissues provide a clear picture of tissue development but the timing of onset of immunocompetence awaits definition. The survival of the neonatal marsupial in a microbially rich environment is dependent on maternal strategies, including immunoglobulin transfer via milk and, in some species, prenatally via the yolk sac placenta. It is also likely that pouch secretions play a role. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the pathway of immunological development in marsupials and the protection and threats afforded by the pouch environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Old
- School of Science, University of Western Sydney, Nepean, P.O. Box 10, Kingswood, Australia
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Zuccolotto PD, Harrison GA, Deane EM. Cloning of marsupial T cell receptor alpha and beta constant region cDNAs. Immunol Cell Biol 2000; 78:103-9. [PMID: 10762409 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1711.2000.00885.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Partial cDNAs encoding the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) T cell receptor alpha constant region (TCRalphaC) and T cell receptor beta constant region (TCRbetaC) were obtained using reverse transcriptase-coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). These PCR products were used to screen a brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) lymph node cDNA library, resulting in the isolation of clones containing the complete coding regions for TCRalphaC and TCRbetaC. These constitute the first marsupial T cell receptor sequences to have been elucidated. Sequence analysis of the T. vulpecula constant region revealed a considerable level of sequence identity with TCR of other species, particularly eutherian mammals, at both the nucleic acid and amino acid levels. At the nucleotide level, 65.8% sequence identity was calculated for the T. vulpecula and human TCRalphaC sequences, with 55.9% identity at the amino acid level. For TCRbetaC, the T. vulpecula and human beta1 sequence identity at the nucleotide level was 75.1% and at the amino acid level, 67.0%. Phylogenetic analyses based on the T. vulpecula sequences indicated that these sequences are basal to, but also most closely related with, TCRalphaC and TCRbetaC homologues from eutherian mammals, consistent with the current views of both mammalian and TCR evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D Zuccolotto
- School of Science, University of Western Sydney, Nepean, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia
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25
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Belov K, Harrison GA, Miller RD, Cooper DW. Molecular cloning of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) immunglobulin E heavy chain constant region. Mol Immunol 1999; 36:1255-61. [PMID: 10684965 DOI: 10.1016/s0161-5890(99)00097-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The immunobiology of marsupial IgE is poorly understood. As a first step towards the development of immunological reagents for marsupials and to obtain a further understanding of immunoglobulin evolution, a brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) mesenteric lymph node cDNA library was screened for the heavy chain constant region of IgE (Cepsilon), using a partial Cepsilon probe from the American marsupial, Monodelphis domestica. The cDNA sequence for T. vulpecula Cepsilon was determined and found to be most similar to the M. domestica Cepsilon sequence [(76%) at the amino acid level]. T. vulpecula Cepsilon has amino acid sequence similarities ranging from 43-52% with various eutherian Cepsilon sequences. The secondary structure of T. vulpecula Cepsilon, based on loops formed by internal disulfide bonds, more closely resembles rodent Cepsilon than the American marsupial sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Belov
- CRC for Conservation and Management of Marsupials, School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Australia
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26
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Belov K, Harrison GA, Rosenberg GH, Miller RD, Cooper DW. Isolation and comparison of the IgM heavy chain constant regions from Australian (Trichosurus vulpecula) and American (Monodelphis domestica) marsupials. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 1999; 23:649-656. [PMID: 10579393 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-305x(99)00041-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
cDNAs encoding IgM heavy chain constant region (Cmu) were isolated from two metatherians (marsupials)--the Australian common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and the South American grey short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Analysis of the sequences suggested that they correspond to the secreted form of Cmu in both species. The domain size and structure of the marsupial Cmu sequences were compared with other Cmu sequences and a high degree of conservation throughout vertebrate evolution was observed. Amino acid sequence comparisons revealed a marked level of sequence similarity between the two marsupial sequences (79%), relatively high similarity between the marsupials and eutherians (63%), and lower similarities between marsupials and birds (45%), marsupials and amphibians (47%), marsupials and reptiles (45%) and marsupials and fish (37%). These data allow the incorporation of metatherians into the study of mammalian IgM evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Belov
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
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Belov K, Harrison GA, Miller RD, Cooper DW. Isolation and sequence of a cDNA coding for the heavy chain constant region of IgG from the Australian brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula. Mol Immunol 1999; 36:535-41. [PMID: 10475608 DOI: 10.1016/s0161-5890(99)00064-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) mesenteric lymph node cDNA library was screened with a South American short-tailed opossum (Monodlelphis domestica) immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain constant region (Cgamma) probe, resulting in the isolation of a 1518 nucleotide cDNA clone. The sequence corresponds to exons 1-3 of Cgamma. The Australian marsupial (T. vulpeculla) sequence is 70% identical at the amino acid level with the American marsupial (M. domestica) sequence, but less similar to the eutherian mammals (45-50%). These data provide the opportunity to compare the evolution of IgG between orders of marsupials separated by at least 75 million years and confirm the appearance of IgG prior to the metatherian/eutherian divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Belov
- CRC for Conservation and Management of Marsupials, School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
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Adamski FM, Demmer J. Two Stages of Increased IgA Transfer During Lactation in the Marsupial, Trichosurus vulpecula (Brushtail Possum). THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 1999. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.162.10.6009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) and J chain molecules are involved in the transfer of IgA across the mammary gland epithelia into milk. The J chain binds two IgA molecules to form dimeric IgA, and the pIgR transports this complex through epithelial cells. We report here the cloning of the first marsupial homologues for the pIgR and J chain from the brushtail possum. Marsupial young are born after a short gestation and are less developed than eutherian newborn. The pouch young is completely dependent on milk as its sole source of nutrition during early lactation and this phase can be considered to be equivalent to an external gestation. Two periods of increased expression of pIgR, J chain, and IgA heavy chain mRNAs were observed in the mammary gland during lactation. The first occurs for a brief period after birth of the pouch young and is likely to reflect IgA transfer via the colostrum. The second period of increased expression, which is unique to marsupials, occurs after the early lactation period and just before young exit the pouch. We propose that this represents a second colostral-like phase at the end of the external gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances M. Adamski
- Dairy Science Group, AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Jerome Demmer
- Dairy Science Group, AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
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